Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
As he prepares to exit office, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, has charged his successor, Professor Orsular Akanwa, to exercise caution in decision-making by thoroughly verifying issues before taking action.
Professor Iwe gave the advice during a valedictory interaction with journalists, where he reflected on his tenure and the challenges of leadership.
He acknowledged that mistakes are inevitable in public office but maintained that any missteps under his administration were driven by genuine concern for the institution rather than ill intent.
“Leadership comes with human limitations. Mistakes can occur, but if they do, they should come from care and concern for the system,” he said, stressing the need for diligence and restraint in governance.
The outgoing Vice-Chancellor, who formally hands over on February 28, identified the restoration of peace and stability on campus as one of the most significant achievements of his administration, noting that industrial harmony laid the foundation for institutional growth.
Beyond peace-building, Iwe highlighted efforts to reposition MOUAU as a regional hub for agricultural innovation, particularly in poultry production.
He disclosed that advanced negotiations had been concluded with a Canadian firm to establish a hatchery at the university, with a memorandum of understanding already signed.
“Our vision was to make this university a hatchery centre for the South-East and South-South. We made substantial progress with our Canadian partners, despite political and structural challenges,” he said, urging the incoming administration to sustain the initiative.
He also appealed to his successor to revive and complete the feed mill project initiated under his tenure, describing it as a strategic investment capable of significantly boosting the university’s internally generated revenue and reducing operational costs.
Iwe said his administration recorded notable milestones, including the establishment of bread and biscuit factories, a water production plant, the revival of the university microfinance bank, and the expansion of the university guest house from six to 22 rooms.
He further listed the restoration of five previously deregistered programmes in the College of Management Sciences (COLMAS), the introduction of new academic programmes such as Artificial Intelligence and Mechatronics, and the digitisation of results and transcripts to ease access for students and graduates.
Professor Iwe also noted reforms in academic staffing, revealing that professorial promotions were streamlined, with more professors elevated during his tenure than under any previous administration at the institution.
He disclosed that the Governing Council had approved new conditions of service for staff and appealed to workers and students alike to extend their cooperation to the incoming Vice-Chancellor.
Expressing gratitude to the university community for their support throughout his tenure, Professor Iwe pledged to continue offering guidance to the new administration when called upon, until his final retirement from public service in two years’ time.
