By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Ebonyi State University Alumni Association (EBSUAA) has endorsed Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for a second tenure in office.
The endorsement was made known during the 6th Home Coming/Congress of the Alumni held recently in Abakaliki.
Speaking at the event, the National President of the EBSU Alumni Association (EBSUAA), Chief Nwangele Sunday (JP), appreciated Governor Nwifuru for embarking on various giant developmental projects within the state, and for appointing members of the Association into key political positions.
Chief Sunday pledged the Association’s full support for the Governor’s second term, noting that EBSUAA is proud to associate with Governor Nwifuru for his achievements.
He equally lauded the Vice Chancellor for the innovations witnessed in the institution and praised the Governor for creating an enabling environment for the university to thrive.
“EBSU Alumni Association supports the movement for Governor Nwifuru’s second term bid, and we hereby adopt His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for a second tenure in office,” he stated. “He has done a lot and EBSUAA is exceedingly proud to associate with His Excellency.”
Lending his support, the BoT Chairman, Hon. Ernest Nasir, appreciated the Governor for his work, stating that Governor Nwifuru has “breathed life again into the institution and created an enabling environment for the institution to strive.” He therefore urged members of the association to lend their support to the Governor’s second term bid.
Hon. Nasir also commended the association’s internal solidarity. “I appreciate my members for the support we have collectively given to the EBSU Alumni Association. I enjoin members, including myself, to continue this support to the national leadership. If you are leading and nobody is following you, you are just taking a walk.”
He added, “Yesterday was Dr. Ereke; today is Chief Sunday. If we follow diligently, they will satisfy us to the best of their ability. EBSU BoT also wants to most sincerely commend and appreciate the Vice Chancellor. Awoke has contributed his quota in EBSU, from Directorship of Work and Study, and today he is the Vice Chancellor. Immediately he entered, you can see the innovation he brought to the school.”
“We cannot appreciate him most without also appreciating the person of the Governor, as immediately he became the Governor, EBSU started breathing fresh air,” Hon. Nasir concluded.
Earlier, the former National President of the Association, Dr. Kenneth Ereke, thanked Prof. Awoke for his achievements since assuming office and assured the Vice Chancellor that the Alumni would continue to partner with the University for the accelerated development of their Alma Mater.
However, the Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Prof. Michael Ugota Awoke, had earlier appealed for the assistance of the EBSU Alumni Association to partner with the university administration in an aggressive fight against campus social ills such as sexual harassment and examination malpractice (sorting).
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hillary Eze delivered the address and appreciated the Association for its continued developmental contributions to the university. He noted that recent activities by some alumni members have been instrumental in providing crucial infrastructures, calling their efforts “commendable.” However, he pivoted the request toward the ethical challenges facing the university community.
Addressing the vices bedevilling the institution, the VC assured the Congress that such ills—including sexual harassment and the sorting of examinations—”will no longer continue.”
He sought the association’s specific support, stating, “It is part of what you’re going to do for us. If you have any information, if you know what can be done to make sure it completely stops, the Vice Chancellor is ready to listen to you and will accept that.”