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- Published: 16 May 2013
Asamaowei, New Pro-Chancellor, Pledges Support For Infrastructural Dev In UNIPORT
By Obinna Nwodim
Business mogul and new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of University of Port Harcourt, Chief Gesi Asamowei, has pledged active support for ongoing efforts aimed at transforming the University into a world-class centre of academic excellence.
Chief Asamaowei, gave the assurance when he paid a maiden visit to the University, last Friday, as part of an on-the-spot assessment of the state of the Institution, preparatory to the inaugural meeting of the new Council next month. After an extensive inspection tour of the Permanent Site of the University, the Chairman of Council said: “I am very impressed with the efforts being made by Management to transform the University of Port Harcourt; but I am also aware that so much more needs to be done by all stakeholders to take the University to where we all want it to be.
“Even though we are not core academics, we know the importance of education in the growth of any society and from the interactions we have had so far, it is obvious that staff and students are very enthusiastic about turning the University into a centre of academic excellence through quality research and development. We are determined to ensure that there is an enabling environment that would motivate staff and students to give of their very best to the system”, Chief Asamaowei said, adding that “if there are things we can do to address the obvious institutional challenges facing the University; you should not hesitate to let us know through the appropriate channels of interaction and communication. From the initial discussions I had with the Vice-Chancellor, it is obvious that we are saddled with a lot of problems and we need to commence action immediately to tackle them headlong to justify the confidence reposed in us by the Federal Government”.
The Pro-Chancellor, who said that he was looking forward to a cordial working relationship with Management, expressed willingness to make personal financial sacrifices to enhance the infrastructural development of the Institution, identifying the East-West Road junction as a major source of concern that needed to be tackled promptly to ease traffic into the University. He promised that he would personally ensure that in the next 90 days, something concrete would be done to ease the chaotic traffic situation along that section of the road.
“The Council is only on ground to assist Management carry out its onerous responsibility of day-to-day running of the University. You can count on us for the needed support to help you discharge your duties”. On our part, we promise to make good policies for the effective running of the University that has achieved so much since it was established by the Federal Government”, the new Governing Council Chairman assured all stakeholders in the affairs of the University.
Receiving the new Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ajienka, who presented a copy of the Statutes of the University to him, informed him that with the election of six Internal Members from Senate and Congregation, the new Governing Council has been fully constituted to commence business. Professor Ajienka, who briefed the new Pro-Chancellor on the state of the University, congratulated him and other Members on their appointment and election into the Governing Council of the University, promising that Management would give them all necessary cooperation to enable them succeed in their onerous national assignment.
Also on hand to receive the new Pro-Chancellor were, Deputy Vice-Chancellors (Administration), Professor Ethelbert Nduka, (Academic), Professor Igho Joe, (Research and Development), Professor Bene Willie-Abbey, Registrar, Mrs Matilda Nnodim and Bursar, Mr Vitalis Aliezi
