Excellence should guide choice of UNN’s new VC, says Anglican Church

The Anglican Diocese of Nsukka has charged the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to be guided by quality standard and excellence in choice of successor to the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Chukwuma Ozumba.

It advised the institution’s management to shun ethnic sentiments and appoint a credible replacement that would continue on the path of growth and development of the institution in the interest of the country and humanity.

Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Aloysius Agbo, who stated this at a sendoff party in honour of Ozumba, stated that the next Vice Chancellor should not only have excellent academic records, but should also be an ambassador of peace.

“He must be result-driven, research- conscious and ready to continue the developmental strides of the institution. He must be ready to maintain the enviable records the university is known for,” he said.

Agbo, who commended Ozumba for repositioning the university, stated that his administration sustained peace, moral rectitude, academic excellence, human resources development and improved staff and students’ welfare.

He explained that Ozumba, who took over management of the institution in 2014 worked gallantly “as a solider of Christ to re-position and place the university on world map through quality teaching, research, infrastructure development and innovations.”

Describing Ozumba as humble and God fearing, he added that the university now ranks as number one in Nigeria by Google Scholar Citation, a feat it had maintained in the past four years.

He pointed out that Ozumba’s leadership qualities were responsible for people gaining admission or employment into the university on merit.

“The Diocese organised the sendoff to honour and recognise your good works so that whosever will be your successor will emulate your good example. It is not because you are a member of Anglican Church but because you rendered excellent service to the university and humanity,” he said.

Agbo prayed God to reward Ozumba with higher appointment, adding: “My prayer is that God will reward the good work Ozumba has done in UNN with higher appointment and blessings for him and his family.”

Ozumba, who leaves the university on June 7, said he was humbled and overwhelmed that the Nsukka Anglican Diocese recognised his administration’s contributions to making the institution the best in the country and one of the best in the world.

“Whatever achievements I made in UNN were due to God’s divine favours, blessings and wisdom. So, I give God all the glory. I remain grateful to Nsukka Anglican Diocese for their constant prayers for me and my family, which I believe is the brain behind my success story in UNN,” he said.