The emergence of Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa as the 7th Vice-Chancellor and first female head of the 34-year-old federal government–owned Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) has been described as a divine act.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Fidelis Chukwunweike Edeh, made this declaration after Professor Akanwa was decorated by the Deputy Vice Chancellor professor Nneoma Obasi and the Registrar Dr Nkeiruka Mbanasor

There was a remarkable scene during the ceremony when the Students and the university community rose from their positions in jubilation as they sited the third Vice Chancellor Professor Hilary Edeoga eight years ago, was being welcomed into the hall, and for more than ten minutes loudly ovating and hailing him for the various palpable lasting legacies they recalled he effected or set into motion, which his successors built/build on.

PC Edeh, who said that he only insisted that the new VC should emerge from within the university, hence, qualified/suitable professors are available therein, for seamless continuity, and not choosing from outside, attested that Professor Akanwa met overwhelming criteria for her appointment.

He therefore commended the verdict of the VC Selection Committee, remarking, however, that if the process of selection was not politicised at a stage, the selection of Professor Akanwa would have taken about two hours instead of up to five hours it did.

He said that God was neutral, did not allow darkness to overshadow light, that the day was one on which MOUAU was liberated, adding that no victory comes without struggle.

”We concluded the selection process in about five ( 5 ) hours, which would have taken about two hours if not politicized."

The position I took was that the next 7th VC must emerge from within the MOUAU System. And this was the only decision I took, because appointing an outsider would mean starting afresh, and the Council did not alter it”.

Comrade Edeh, who said that he was privileged to be the Pro-Chancellor to appoint the 7th and first female VC of the University, commended Professor Akanwa’s predecessor, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, asserting that he ( Iwe ) contributed his best quota.

The PC therefore urged Professor Akanwa (the new VC), to ” remain faithful and grateful to God, because nobody worked against you. Listen to everybody, but allow God to lead you”.

Addressing the community after she was robbed as the new VC by the Deputy VC Professor Nneoma Obasi and Registrar Dr Nkeiruka Mbansor, Professor Akanwa said she is bringing into office the maternal passion, femininity, motherhood and more godliness.

She said that her administration will remain loyal and do everything germane to promoting the vision of the Federal Government, especially in areas concerning agricultural and educational policies."

My vision is to transform MOUAU into an intellectual hub, a financially autonomous, entrepreneurial, and innovation -driven university that leads in agricultural research, agricultural innovation, education, technology, agribusiness, food security and national development."

An agricultural brand that will be highly sought after in the South-East and Nigeria, which contributes meaningfully to food security, knowledge, research and national prosperity”.

While the various Staff Unions hailed Professor Akanwa’s appointment, and accordingly commended the Governing Council, promising to cooperate with and support her, they, however, urged her to involve them to ensure industrial harmony. The Students’ Union similarly corroborated.

Elated by his wife’s appointment, Dr Michael Akanwa assured that she will perform creditably following God’s guidance, and that he and their children would sustain prayers for her, and do the needful to support her. ” We will therefore reduce her direct involvement in numerous domestic activities

(The Guardian)