The Member representing Ezeagu Constituency in Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chima Obieze, has donated one million Naira to staff of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) from Ezeagu local government area (his Constituency).
The lawmaker who made the donation on on Wednesday when he paid a solidarity visit to the members of staff of the institution, said the strike should be resolved as a matter of urgency for the sake of young Nigerians.
Obieze told the university staff that he understands what they’re passing through because his own family has been there when his father was owed for 20 months.
“What you’re passing through today is what I can relate with. My father was a senior staff with the Nigeria Railway Cooperation (NRC) who together with other staff in the early 90s was owed salary for over 20 months. My family went through unimaginable hardship and hunger.
“Today, knowing that you haven’t been paid for over 7 months is a source of great concern to me because all of you here have families and dependents to cater for and on a lighter note, I don’t envy you right now. But I’m sure all hope isn’t lost and I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I’m making this little donation to assist you in anyway it can.”
In his speech, Prof. SN Machebe, who is the Leader of the group and most senior lecturer in UNN from Ezeagu, welcomed Hon. Obieze, adding that what he (Obieze) has done today is mind-blowing.
He said that though Ezeagu needs a lot both in infrastructure and manpower development, but with a leader like Hon Obieze that there’s hope that Ezeagu will get there someday. He thanked Hon. Obieze for the visit and assured him of their total support.
He however, lamented the absence of scholarship programs, bursary awards lack of attendance from political leaders from Ezeagu during their students cultural days in UNN.
Also speaking, Dr Eddy Izueke, Ph.D while welcoming the Hon member, pointed that efforts should be made to ensure that our education system does not get to a situation of total collapse. He lamented on the sufferings and challenges of the Federation university staff; academic and non-academic staff. He said many families have long lost hope on the next meal because of not being paid wages for the past 7 months and counting.
He however insisted that the demands of ASUU are very Germain and realizable and though the hardship is dealing with them, they’re prepared to continue on this “endurance race” till they get to the finish line.
He informed the Hon member that “no Govt official has ever shown this level of concern or interest to our plight as you have done today.”
Another Speaker during the visit, prof (Mazi) C. C. Igbokwe used the proverb “the tortoise said that even if his wife is not pregnant, that he is satisfied with the fact that she is spitting out saliva” which in relation to the visit means that even if the Hon. member came empty handed, they appreciate the fact that he came at all, to express his gratitude for the gesture of the lawmaker.
He poured a lot of encomiums on the Hon member stating that his type of Leadership is what every sane community desires. He further enjoined Ezeagu indigenes in UNN to learn to always “come together and work in unity for the common progress of our people.” He said Prof. Machebe has been a shinning light in helping to lift and assist Ezeagu people in UNN. He went further to tell Hon Obieze and his team, that though they said this is not a campaign visit, but that they should be assured that “the votes of all the people gathered here and our families will be delivered to you 100% come 2023 election”.
He called on all who were present not to relent in canvassing for votes for the young Honourable, insisting that he will do well having started well.
Similarly, Rev Fr. Dr John Madubuko, Chaplain at St Mulumba’s chaplaincy UNEC and Lecturer at the department of Religion in UNN, said he knew Hon Obieze from his cradle days as a Mass Server and church leader at St. Michael’s Catholic Church Asata.
He charged the Hon member to continue to speak up for the common man and not to forget the values with which he was raised as a child of God.
Speaking on the ongoing strike action, the clergyman said its a clear demonstration of of lack of political will by politicians to prioritise the welfare of the masses. He insisted that political leaders fail to understand the plight of Nigerian Students who has been sent home indefinitely where they ravage in idleness, because most of their children are getting quality and uninterrupted education.
Rev Fr. Emeka, the chaplain at St. Peter’s Chaplaincy UNN and the Staff adviser for Ezeagu Students Association UNN, said he has met Hon Obieze twice at the Students cultural day celebration and noted that Hon Obieze is a shining light for the next generation of Ezeagu leaders.
Barr Mrs Ifeyinwa Ozokolo, who delivered the vote of thanks, hailed Obieze for the solidarity visit and also thanked the Ezeagu Community in UNN while urging them to keep supporting Rt. Hon. Chima Obieze.
Some of the Staff in Attendance include:
1. Prof N.S. Machebe (Dept of Animal Science,UNN)
2. Dr Chinyere Nwaoga. ( CEDR UNN)
3. Dr Igboeme Ogonna Stephanie (Dept of Pharmaceutical microbiology and Biotechnology UNN)
4. Dr Eddy M. Izueke (Dept of Public Admin &Local Government, UNN).
5. Engr Dr Ozoegwu G (Mechanical engineering)
6. Prof (Mazi) C C Igbokwe Dept of HKHE
7. Ozonwu Charles(Dept of Lib & Information science UNN)
8. Mrs Ifeoma Nzekwe(Dept of PALG)
9. Rev Fr Emaka
10.Rev Fr John chijoke madubuko Dept of Religion and chaplain UNEC Chaplaincy )
11. Engr C J Nwokike ( Dept of Music, UNN)
12. Obodo Anthonia Akunkwo (Exams Unit)
13. Chibunze Nnamdi E (Special Projects Unit/ Office of the V.C)
14. Mrs E. N. Eze (Potters lodge, VCs office lodge, UNN) among others.
