INTERVIEW
One Year In Office: Progress We’ve Made So Far At COOU Exemplifies Adage Which Says That Success Comes When Opportunity Meets Preparedness – Omenugha, Ag. Vice Chancellor
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, fnipr, is the acting vice chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State. She was appointed into office by Governor Chukwuma Soludo on November 28, 2023, and assumed office on December 5, 2023.
She was on the 5th December 2024 marked her one year in office. Prof. Omenugha who is the second female professor of Mass Communication, formerly commissioner for education in the state, speaks on the journey, in her quest to take the university to greater heights with the invaluable support of the state governor.
Where we started
When I was announced as the acting vice chancellor of this great university by this time last year, we had a clear vision of what to do in order to reposition the university to be in tune with global standards in terms of learning, research and development. I’m also aware of the fact that Mr. Governor reposed a lot of confidence in me and he is waiting to see me deliver; so we hit the ground running immediately as the mandate given by Mr. Governor is an agenda with a deadline. I, therefore, work hard to make the governor proud of his choice.
We began with extensive consultations with the relevant critical internal and external stakeholders, with a view to understanding the intervening issues and challenges and proffer policy options for the continued growth and development of the university. Committed to elevating the standards of university governance, the administration introduced a 2V, Viability and Visibility, policy framework and after consultative meeting with the university community of professors, students, academic and non-teaching staff, a third ‘V,’ Values, was birthed and now the university runs on a 3Vs (Values, Viability and Visibility) agenda.
Can you outline the journey towards achieving the values, viability and visibility agenda so far?
What we hope to achieve here is building more community for our university, being very student-centred and making sure that everyone participates in the things we do. Values are key to the administration and the emphasis has been on zero-tolerance for any academic fraud. My mantra in this direction as the vice chancellor has always been: “Do not exploit my students because, if you do, I will rise and defend them.” We encourage excellence and celebrate products of the university who are making us proud. Like recently, Dr. Johnbosco Egbueri, a lecturer in the Department of Geology and an associate director of our Research Management Office, was celebrated for his exceptional achievement as one of the 2024 World’s Top 2% Scientists, as recognized by Standford University, USA. This prestigious ranking, based on Scopus Data (Elsevier) evaluates scientists’ research impact, citations and productivity. Dr. Egbueri’s consistent excellence has earned him this recognition for the fourth consecutive year (2021 to 2024), placing our university on the global map.
A product of this university who graduated from the Department of Anatomy, Mr. Ifeanyi Raphael Ifedi, recently graduated with first class honours from the prestigious University of West Indies. We just unveiled the broadcast of the television programme titled “ Beyond the Books: The Journey of Excellence,” where we showcase the best minds of COOU. This is a captivating interview series where we uncover the inspiring stories behind the brightest minds of every faculty for the 2023/2024 academic year. From their challenges to their victories, these best graduating students share their secrets to success, their vision for the future and the journey that took them beyond academics. I tell them here that every staff of this university is a chief marketer of the university and we must do so with truth, passion and love.
On Viability, through an intentional approach, our university has become a beehive of activities with faculties and departments struggling to be a better version of themselves. Workshops, seminars, conferences, etc, are driven within the university, the creative spirit in the academic community is unleashed. This has attracted numerous figures to the university, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the International Interdisciplinary Consortium Africa Conference (IICA), which we successfully hosted here, and I was also elected the president. It would be recalled too that the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations specifically honoured Chukwumeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University with an “Excellence in Professional Compliance” award during the 60th anniversary of the institute in Abuja in June this year. We are happy that our modest efforts are yielding positive results so far.
We are producing the first master plan and strategic plan since the inception of the university. There was no master Plan as well as a strategic plan, which will soon be a prerequisite for accessing TETFund grants across Nigerian universities. Before TETFund wrote us, we had already created committees to commence these activities and it became like a “Man-who-saw-tomorrow” thing. What it showed was our readiness to identify the key exigencies of the 21st century. Thus, both the university’s master plan and strategic plan will soon be ready because they have been presented to the council and, very soon, they would be unveiled.
How far have you gone in addressing infrastructural deficit, which is a glaring problem in public universities?
The first thing that struck me when I assumed office here as the acting vice chancellor was the infrastructure deficit of the university. There was a serious gap in the state of the infrastructure here, but I said we don’t have to keep lamenting but rather get set to work and brace up for the task ahead to bridge the gap. First was the main entrance gate, which was very much a drawback, as far as our image and brand was concerned. We got down to work and in some months we got a befitting entrance gate as a university remodeled with such great aesthetic pleasure that it now bears the name “Golden Gate.”
Second task was the walkway. This was also designed to make students have real experience of a thriving university and experience maximum comfort. I also said that our university auditorium must change since the place hosts various dignitaries that visit the university and it is where we host almost all the workshops and conferences, among others. With wooden benches tied to the ground and no modern ventilation or communication gadgets, the place needed retouching. Today, by the grace of God, we have a completely furnished up-to-date university auditorium where people converge in a relaxed atmosphere and in comfort to hold their conferences, among others. Also, we’ve been having serious climate change issues whose effect has led to the continuous blowing off of various roofs on the campus here. The administration, therefore, introduced the use of strong corrugated 5.5 gauge roofs to be more resilient to weather conditions and also the introduction of the red roof revolution. We had to insist on that, knowing that good roofing sheets would make the buildings more rugged to resist the harsh weather conditions.
Our administration has attracted TETFund Projects and at the moment, some have described our university today as a massive construction site. Our goodwill has moved good-spirited individuals to donate generously to the University. Worthy of mention is Chief Christopher Ndubisi (Ikenga Umuawulu) who has brought to the university 150 street lights, in addition to completing the ICT Centre building he started, has also commenced a banquet hall to support our nascent administration. Chief Benson Madubuko and a good number of other people have supported the university in their various ways. We are raising the consciousness of our people in embracing COOU as their own.
The alumni community is a critical stakeholder to the growth of any institution. What has been the nature of your relationship with them since assumption of office?
We started with the engagement of critical stakeholders and the alumni of the university had written to say that this is the first time the university administration expressed the willingness to integrate them into the activities of the university. We came in shortly after an election for the national executives and we welcomed them. In fact, the national body assisted us in the beautification of the reception area of the administrative block. We have continued to covert mutual relationships with all the chapters within and in diaspora. When I travelled to University of Lincoln early this year, I met with them in the UK and we had a conversation and I can tell you that they are happy and ready to come home and invest in their university. The national executives are planning a homecoming programme where they intend to lay the foundation for an alumni secretariat in the university and we will give them every support.
We have also approved that the current amount being paid for the alumni clearance be increased to enable them meet with their set goals. We are proud of them because we understand that a good number of them are doing exceedingly well in their chosen careers. For instance, we have the likes of Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, who is currently the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Anambra State; immediate past Federal House Member Representing Oyi/Ayamelum Constituency, Barr. Vincent Ofumelu; our alumni president, Dr. Dubem Oguegbu, MD, Gustavo Lounge, Enugu, and a member of the Cubana Group; the popular crypto guru, Mr. Williams Linus (B-Lord), Dr. Chike Mgbeadichie, a Senior Lecturer, Head of Department, Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos; Captain J. A. Inyamgum, who is in the Nigerian Army; Mr. Ifeanyi Matthew, Managing Director, E&M Construction Company, Abuja; Mr. Israel Ezeadiruo, benefactor of Ezeadiruo Foundation; Mr. Abuchi Unachukwu, assistant manager with First Bank Plc, and many more others.
What are the interventions in the area of the environment?
I draw inspiration from what the Governor is doing in the area of environment. Creating a conducive environment for learning and research is key to our administration. That is why, within this one year in office, the environment here has changed to that of tranquility and serenity. We have a solution government in Anambra and we must have a solution university here too. People say that I possess the Midas touch, well, I don’t know about that, but what I know is that I have the fire to perform in my belly.
The horticulture in the university has been developed. Climate action initiatives have taken place in collaboration with many institutions such as NCF, NIMET, First Bank, Heritage Bank, etc. We held the first Climate Action Summit, which attracted many people and organizations. We commenced the Tree Planting Campaign in the university, too. Many dignitaries, such as Francis Cardinal Arinze, former Prefect, Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, Vatican City, Rome, the wife of the Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, immediate past chairman of International Interdisciplinary Consortium Africa, Prof. Deogracias Jiganyi, and Prof. I.C. Okoye participated. We also have Institutions such as Nigeria Conservative Foundation, whom we signed an MoU with, as well as the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, they promised to build a weather station in the university. There are also First Bank of Nigeria Plc and Heritage Bank Plc. We have established a five-year climate action plan to help us achieve the one million trees target. Already, promising economic trees that could stand the test of time have been planted all over the university, particularly the Vice Chancellor’s Orchard of Unity.
The establishment of the COOU Students Environment Police (COOU-SEP) was to help drive and protect the environment from exploitation and make it the best eco-friendly university in southeastern Nigeria.
What have you been doing in the area of agriculture?
We are determined to sustain the push for a self-sustainable university. That is why this administration revitalized the University Fish Farm by providing stable power and water supply, leading to record-breaking fish sales in recent months. Similarly, Dr. Nonye Soludo’s Healthy Living Garden has generated over N2.5 million in its first year by producing vegetables for the university community. Efforts to foster a sustainable campus economy include introducing order in campus trade and residency. A comprehensive census of petty traders and campus dwellers is underway to establish a more organized framework for living and commerce within the university, ensuring the protection and appropriate use of university property.
This multi-faceted approach reflects the administration’s dedication to building a vibrant, self-reliant, and globally competitive university community. Two staff members of this university, Dr. Uju Muogbo of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Dr. Comfort Nwagbo of the Department of Food Science and Technology, were among the four beneficiaries of Anambra State Government facilitated three-week Agro Taining in China, fully funded. They were in China for a training seminar on cultivation techniques of Edible Fungi for Women in Belt and Road Countries in Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Funzhou City, Fujian Province China. We are currently planning with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences to set up a mushroom factory. Mushroom is very medicinal and the university has a Centre for Herbal and Traditional Medicine recently established.
What’s going on in the areas of research, linkages and collaborations?
The university under my watch is poised to take research to the highest level with the establishment of Research Management Office (RMO) with scholars drawn from various faculties to lead research. The RMO was inaugurated to oversee, monitor and enhance the university’s research output. Its initiatives include workshops, fostering international collaborations, and advancing the university’s internationalization agenda. Partnerships have already been forged with institutions such as the University of Economics and Innovation in Dublin; Lincoln University in the UK; the University of Kentucky in the USA; and the International Interdisciplinary Consortium, Africa, which held its conference at COOU in November 2024. These collaborations aim to elevate the university’s research profile and global standing.
Recently, the university signed a MoU with the Kentucky State University, USA with far-reaching objectives to strengthen linkages and collaborations. At least a staff and two students of the Faculty of Agriculture will have the opportunity of embarking on a postgraduate programme in Soil Science and in other programmes in the United States of America, fully funded. Our partnership with Kentucky State University goes beyond symbolic gestures because it promises real opportunities for growth through student-staff exchanges and academic collaboration. Additionally, several MoUs have been signed, facilitating linkages and exchange programs.
In the area of visibility, the administration’s remarkable strides over the past 12 months have significantly enhanced COOU’s visibility – setting a new benchmark for a holistic rebranding process. Starting with a comprehensive revamping of the university’s website and portal, we have always emphasized that improving the wniversity’s web-metric ranking is unattainable without robust visibility. This vision materializesed through conscious and intentional internationalization efforts which have seen the university become a member of the European Commission Funding and Tenders Portal (ECFTP) that qualifies it to enter into partnership with programme countries for an EU-funded grants and projects. The rebranding is also manifesting with the increase in the number of inaugural lectures rising from eight, where we met it in December 2023, to number 19 as at this December 2024 and now, our professors, with fired and inspired zeal, have taken up all spaces in 2025 for their inaugural lectures and many others lined up till 2026.
The Public Relations Unit has undergone a revolutionary upgrade, including the establishment of a podcast studio – arguably among the first of its kind in any public institution in Nigeria. This studio is poised to serve as a platform for online classes, addressing the logistical challenges faced by students and lecturers across campuses. Procurement of high-tech Cameras, Studio lights, digital LED and digital TV screens installed at the Administrative Building and the ETF auditorium has improved the capacity of the Unit. All programmes being held in the University are on live transmissions via the University’s social media platforms, which have seen phenomenal growth—from fewer than 10,000 followers in December 2023 to over 31,000 by November 2024, with a projected audience of over 100,000 by next year.
What is your message to the university community ?
The progress we’ve made so far under this administration exemplifies the adage which says that success comes when opportunity meets preparedness. COOU has entered a transformative era and we are indeed optimistic that the legacy of the administration will redefine and re-engineer the University’s narrative in near future. I therefore appeal to the university community to unite to build a greater COOU worthy of the iconic figure it is named after! Together, we can make history as COOU is the now university and of the future. There is no place in the world that education is left for the government alone; we therefore call on every stakeholder-alumni, students, faculty and well-meaning individuals to contribute to the growth of this university. We are laying the groundwork for a new chapter at COOU, one where our students and alumni are central to the story we tell.
Central to our administration is a commitment to student-centricity. COOU will be an institution where students are more than participants, but they are co-creators in the university’s progress and in building our community. Every student will have a rightful place in the university’s life, whether it’s through academic excellence, cultural displays or leadership roles. This is not a future we hope for, it is rather the future we are actively claiming. With students and alumni from various states and countries, we will celebrate this diversity as part of our growing global footprint.
During our major events, the flags of those countries and states will fly proudly, a testament to our reach and our vision for the future. Our story is one of Pride and Dignity. A story we are writing together-of our heritage, of our legacies, and of who we are. It is more than individual accolades-it is about the collective achievements of our university community. We shall consolidate those legacies together.
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