Okpara varsity women set up skills acquisition centre
By Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Women in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), have set up a skills acquisition centre to train undergraduates and others in tailoring for self reliance.
Speaking at the formal inauguration of the centre equiped with modern sewing machines, wife of the Vice Chancellor and President of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Women Association (MOUAUWA), Dr Mrs Nkechinyere Iwe, said the centre was established to enable people acquire skills for self actualisation.
She encouraged women especially female undergraduates and others including the university community to take advantage of the centre to add value to their lives.
Dr Mrs Iwe commended her predecessor, Dr Bertha Otunta for initiating the laudable project, but expressed joy it was realized under her watch.
The VC’s wife who said she believed in completing any laudable project initiated by her predecessor, commended all those who supported the university women in actualising the dream.
She also commended all those who assisted the women to procure a Hummer bus for their transport convenience, and commercial purpose.
Dr Mrs Iwe restated the commitment of MOUAUWA under her watch in empowering women for self reliance and for a better society.
In his remarks at the event, the VC, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, expressed worry over the spate of abandoned projects in the country.
Professor Iwe said that commencing a new project by any administration without first completing the good ones abandoned by its predecessor was not proper.
The VC advised leaders against discontinuing with noble projects initiated by their predecessors as such does not help the growth of any system.
” Any good successive leadership will normally ensure the completion of projects it meets on arrival because it is to accomplish strategic plans of such organization”.
Professor Iwe commended the university women for the legendary project, saying that the centre will complement the efforts of the university to empower its undergraduates through skills acquisition.
” This centre will operate in synergy with our Entrepreneural Centre and other centres that are coming up for skills acquisition”, he said.
The VC who pledged the continued support of his administration to their vision, also advised the women to remain united and focused in the pursuit of their goals.
” Do not toy with your unity; this university needs your unity to advance”, the VC added.
Professor Iwe who vowed to transform the university, solicited the support of everybody to his administration.
In her remarks, the initiator of the project and wife of the late VC, Professor Francis Otunta, expressed joy that her successor deemed it necessary to realise the project, describing her as a visionary leader.
The massively- attended event was planned and executed by Prof. Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka-led Program/Project/Fund Raising Committee.
Other members of the committee include: Mrs Eucharia Mejah, Dr Sally Chikezie, Mrs Onyinyechi Oko, Mrs Lawretta Princewill , and Dr Chioma Nwakamma.
