ABSU VC celebrates one year in office
Abia State University, Uturu, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eleazer Uche Ikonne, weekend held a non-denominational church thanksgiving to celebrate his one year in office as the Vice Chancellor.
During the service, four ministers from different churches ministered to the congregation that gathered at the school’s cafeteria hall venue of the event and they include Rev. Fr Pascal Onyemelusi, Rev. Barr. Wembley Uduma, Very Rev. Prince Ahiabuike and Rt. Rev. Manasess C. I. Okere.
Delivering their sermons on the theme: EBENEZER “FOR HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED US”, the men of God tasked the VC to root out cultism in the school, starting from the lecturers, some of who are cultists themselves and who encourage cultism in the school.
“75% lecturers of cultism instigate cult activities in the school. So checking it is from the top, not from the students”, they said warning all that “what a man sows, so shall he reap”, and advised the VC to “put his house in order and put away the idols”.
Acknowledging that Prof Ikonne has re-awakened the university, they called for support for Prof Ikonne, who is also the first VC of Ngwa extraction from any university in the world.
The clergy condemned some lecturers in the school, who also instead of commending the VC, were castigating him and advised the lecturers who they called “pompous idiots” that are inciting the students against the VC and who are planning to undo him to instead support the VC or “go home to see destruction waiting for them”
The men of God advised all staff and students of ABSU to shun deviant behaviours and abide by the school rules and regulation, pointing out that “those who kill are candidates for hell”.
They said that Prof. Ikonne did not achieve the success so far in the school alone, but with the assistance of the government, school host community and school community, stating that he is not “like others who have nothing to show”.
In his goodwill message later, the Chairman, Governing Council of the university, Sen Adolf Wabara, urged the VC to investigate the allegation of membership of cult by students and lecturers, as well as those who pay to obtain admission or those who demand money for admission.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor said he rose to the position of Vice Chancellor through the ranks and as a result of not compromising the truth, stating, “here I am and my colour will not change”
Prof Ikonne said that on assumption of office, God inspired him to put his thoughts for the school in writing as his mandate and scorecard, stating “The Lord has richly led us, but it is not yet Uhuru”.
He warned students and lecturers who are cultists to “bow out” amd thanked the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, for his “unprecedented help to the school, including his coming to the school to teach the students.
“He bought for the school nine vehicles and has not abandoned us and has assembled the best of experienced members for the governing council.
“Abia State University, Uturu has the best of teaching staff and only an infinitesimal percentage of our staff is rubbing our face with oil”.
Within his one year in office, the university, he said had harvested 12 inaugural lectures and also have the best crop of students with only a minute percentage that “carry the axe”, and assured the school of quality education.
