By HILARY AKALUGWU

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) Chapter has hailed the appointment of Prof Aloysius Okolie as the new Vice-chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

NAN reports that Enugu State Government had in a statement signed by the Secretary to the state government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, on Monday, announced the appointment of Prof Aloysius Okolie as the new VC of ESUT.

The statement said the appointment took effect from Monday, April 4, 2022.

Dr. Christian Opata, UNN-ASUU Chairman and Prof Jonah Onuoha, Head of the Department of Political Science made the commendations in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Nsukka.

They said Okolie would bring his wealth of knowledge and experience to move ESUT forward.

Opata said Okolie, as an erudite professor, would make indelible marks during his administration in ESUT as he had performed very well in all positions held.

“Okolie has excelled in many positions held, which include: former ASUU-UNN Chairman, former President of Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), pioneer Director, Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUBEB), UNN.

“Until his appointment as ESUT new VC on April 4, Okolie was the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences in UNN,” he said.

Opata said his emergence was the will of God as the position was highly competitive by many professors from different universities that applied for the big job.

“Okolie’s appointment has corrected the anomaly in which the acting VC of ESUT stayed more than a year instead of six months maximum required by the law governing universities in the country.

“With Okolie’s appointment, ESUT now has substantive vice-chancellor, one who has all it takes to move the institution forward,” he said.

The ASUU chairman said Okolie would use his wealth of knowledge to bring innovations that would make ESUT be on the front burner among universities in the country.

“I have no doubt that Okolie administration will make ESUT a household name among universities in the country,” he said.

Speaking, Onuoha said the Department of Political Science was highly excited over the appointment of Prof Okolie.

“The department will remain grateful to the government for appointing our own Okolie to the high position of vice-chancellor.

“I am not surprised by the appointment of Okolie as VC because he is a goal-getter, highly intelligent, and highly experienced, so ESUT should expect the best from him.

“Business as usual in ESUT is over because Okolie is God-fearing and believes in due process no matter whose ox is gored,” Onuoha said. (NAN)

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