. Emma Bishop Okonkwo pledges to provide borehole for students with N50m
By Chuks Eke
The duo of Iyom Bianca Ojukwu, wife of Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and Prof. Uche Azikiwe, wife of first Civilian President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe have called on eminent Nigerians to lend their unflinching supports to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU Anambra state to ensure its standardization in all ramifications.
Bianca Ojukwu and Uche Azikiwe who made the call on Wednesday during Ojukwu legacy awards on some nominees as part of activities marking the Silver Jubilee Anniversary celebration of the University, said although the past and present University authorities have tried their best so far in bringing the institution to a certain standard, more efforts are still needed to upgrade it to a befitting level of Ojukwu’s name.
Earlier, Acting Vice Chancellor of COOU, Prof. Kate Omenugha had explained that within 25 years of it’s establishment in the year 2000 by the former Governor of Anambra state, Late Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, the University has grown from strength to strength.
Omenugha therefore commended Mbadinuju for signing the bill establishing COOU on January 1, 2000, thus making himself the founder and visitor. She also lauded the then Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Late Hon. Barth Onugbolu for passing the establishment bill into law.
Omenugha disclosed that at the moment, COOU which has produced many employers of labour both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, is proud to have 15 faculties and 73 programmes cutting across Arts, Sciences, Technology, Law, Medicines, Pharmacy, Engineering, Management/Humanities, among others.
Speaking shortly after receiving the Ojukwu legacy award, Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo, an industrial giant expressed gratitude to the university authorities for considering him worthy to receive such an exalted award and noted that he would take a borehole project worth N50 million to ensure provision of adequate water supply on campus for both the staff and students of the institution.
Mr. Ifeanyi Matthew Ihebom, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of EL/Matt.
Nigeria Limited; Engr. Paul Okafor, a one time President of Students Union Government, SUG and 23 other members of COOU Alumni Association were honoured at the event, alongside Mbadinuju, Onugbolu and other prominent personalities.
