Hundreds of staff of Abia State origin working at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, have passed a vote of confidence on the Vice Chancellor, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, saying he has performed beyond expectations.
At a meeting attended by Deans, Directors, scores of Professors and others, the staff were unanimous that Prof Iwe’s performance in the last three years has not only been outstanding but courageous, given the circumstances under which he has been operating.
In a motion moved by Prof Donatus Igbokwe, a former Dean and supported by Prof Princewill Ogbonna, the Dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, the staff agreed that the tenure of Prof Iwe as Vice Chancellor has been characterised by academic and infrastructural achievements.
According to them, despite meagre resources and embargo on employment through IPPIS, Prof Iwe has posted a superlative performance in office.
They accordingly requested massive support from both staff and students and the host communities for the Vice Chancellor to enable him to do more for the institution.
They noted that since the establishment of the university, Prof Iwe was the only Vice Chancellor who took the issue of release of take-off grant for the institution seriously by interfacing with various levels of government on it.
They also pointed to his doggedness to ensure the release of Certificate of Occupancy for the university which gave it access to all lands donated to the university.
They appealed to all land donors to cooperate with the peaceful administration of Prof Iwe, especially now that he has embarked on the aggressive development of the university’s permanent site.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Abia State staff in MOUAU, Mr. Bobby Ariwodo, explained that the meeting was convened to assure Prof Iwe of the support of his brothers and sisters in the university.
He said Prof Iwe has not only made Abia State proud as an astute administrator but has ensured justice and equity for the entire staff.
Also speaking, Prof Ike Nwachukwu, a former Dean and Director asked all staff of MOUAU to support the Vice Chancellor to end well in line with all his academic and non-teaching developmental and infrastructural initiatives infrastructure.
