By Steve Oko

The Governing Council of Abia State University (ABSU), has inaugurated a search team to commence the process of recruiting the institution’s 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor.

Speaking during the inauguration at the Council Chamber, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu, said the exercise was in compliance with Section 12(2)(b) of the Abia State University Law, “which mandates the constitution of a Search Team to identify and nominate qualified candidates for consideration by the Governing Council.”

The former Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, explained that members of the committee were carefully selected to represent the various interest groups stipulated by law, based on their integrity and proven track records.

He charged the team to discharge its assignment with transparency, diligence and broad consultations to identify a highly qualified academic with the vision, competence and commitment to lead the university in an increasingly digital and technology-driven era.

“You are to approach this responsibility as a formidable team, embracing transparency, diligence and wide consultations in the task of searching for the most qualified academics who possess the commitment and capacity to lead a digital technology-driven university like ABSU in the 21st century,” he said.

The Pro-Chancellor urged the committee to ensure the emergence of a worthy successor to the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ndukwe J. Okeudo, whose tenure is winding down.

He also commended Okeudo for what he described as his dedication and visionary leadership, noting that the outgoing Vice-Chancellor had repositioned the university for greater academic excellence and administrative efficiency.

Responding on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Professor Onwubiko Dike, thanked the Governing Council for the confidence reposed in the members and pledged that they would carry out the assignment with fairness, integrity and a strong sense of responsibility.

Other members of the Search Team are Professors Anthony Obike, Mary Oluchi Iwuagwu and Sam Agu; Dr Osita Igbe; and Dr Uchenna Kalu, who will serve as Secretary.