The immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, has been described as a cerebral academic and astute administrator who left enduring legacies during his five-year tenure.
In an emotional tribute to Prof. Iwe as he formally handed over to a new leadership on Friday, the Director of Agribusiness Incubation Centre in the university, Dr. Philips Nto, said Iwe’s transformative leadership ensured infrastructural revolution, academic excellence, social stability, and peace on the campus.
According to him, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe became the first Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU to secure the certificate of occupancy of the institution after more than 30 years of its existence, in addition to commencing work on the permanent site.
According to Dr. Philips Nto, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor championed the renewal programme within the campus, strengthened academic excellence, and put a stop to factionalisation and internal squabbles among the staff.
He noted that whereas Prof. Iwe inherited more than 100 court cases against the university, mostly from disgruntled and marginalised staff over promotion matters, he ensured that all were settled, thus bringing about peace and harmony among staff and management.
He was particularly impressed that Iwe employed diplomacy in the handling of staff welfare as against high-handedness, which often alienated a section of the university community.
He said that even in his relationship with the Governing Council, Iwe chose peace over confrontation and always put the interest of the university above his personal inclination.
He also reflected on the recent employment exercise embarked upon in the university, describing it as a model of transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness.
“Everyone who was employed got it through merit and not through peddling of influence. The standard was quite high, and due process was followed, which completely eliminated nepotism,” he submitted.
Dr. Philips Nto, who is a former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in Abia State, described Prof. Iwe as a true son of the state who has made Abia proud through his excellent performance as the Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU.
“He came in almost 15 years after an Abia son was the Vice-Chancellor, and he discharged his assignment creditably. He made the difference and left enduring legacies,” he insisted.
While commending Prof. Iwe for his services to MOUAU, Abia State, and Nigeria, Dr. Philips Nto asked him to always avail himself of national development whenever he is called upon to do so.
