By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Ebonyi State University Alumni Association on Monday, March 25, 2024 commissioned a 200-seater capacity VIP guest house hall for the State University in Abakaliki.
During the commissioning ceremony of the VIP guest house, named after the former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Idike, the National President, Dr. Kenneth Ifeanyi Ereke, emphasized the necessity of the project due to the dilapidated state of the previous structure, which was unfit for a guest house.
Dr. Ereke stressed the alumni’s proactive approach in taking over the management of the place, describing the former setup as inadequate and unsuitable for a VIP guest house hall.
He praised the collaborative effort of the university management, which revitalized the structure into a modern facility capable of accommodating up to 200 guests.
“The partnership between the university and alumni is 100%. There is serious collaboration, and the university provides support.
“Ordinarily based on lease agreement, we are suppose to be paying the university monthly,but we are not paying them and we are not bothered because they know we are using the money, and adding our own, to do something for them. So there is always mutual understanding.
“We relate very well, the management integrates us to their policies and programmes, everything they are doing the alumni is at the center stage,” Dr. Ereke stated.
The National Secretary of the EBSU Alumni Association,
Chief Sunday Nwangele
attributed the success of the alumni under Dr. Kenneth Ereke’s leadership to unity among the national executive members, the supportive environment provided by the management of Ebonyi State University, and the dedication of the national president.
In his address,the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu commended the alumni for the instrumental role in advancing the university’s mission and vision.
“The university is your pride, so I am not surprise that you are making every effort to improve the performance of the university.
“First you gave us health center in our main campus and secondly you are doing this.
“Apart from that,whenever there is an issue you have always intervened to make sure there are solved in the interest of the university.
“I want to appreciate the alumni particularly the executives of the alumni for the work they are doing for the university. Like I said you deserve all the praise and thanks for doing us proud as Alumni of Ebonyi State University.
“Yes, we have come a long way. I am happy that I am here to commission this place for the use of alumni and others who may come to utilize this place. The university is very proud of alumni.”
Disclosing some of the milestones the university has achieved such as payment of salary arrears, and international recognition for academic achievements, Prof. Ogbo revealed the ongoing infrastructural development within the University, which include plans for a State of the art reference laboratory to improve research capabilities in the institution.