It was encomuim galore and celebration of excellence for the Pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Coal City University, Enugu and immediate past Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu, Prof. Malachy Okwueze as the University honoured him with the award of excellence at its maiden Convocation for his outstanding performance, unwavering commitment, diligence and enormous contributions in the development of the University and humanity.
Speaking on Prof. Okwueze’s sterling and unprecedented feats in the University during his service as Pioneer Vice-Chancellor which include National University Commission (NUC) accreditation of all the nine take-off programmes, migrating the University from its provisional license to full license status to the University and creating partnerships and collaborations with universities as well as industry players. The University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Afam Ituma, described Prof. Okwueze as a man of many firsts, integrity and transparency, who always put in his best and dedication in anything he does, without minding whose ox is gored. Other academic and non- academic staff of the university, who worked with Prof. Okwueze, who spoke glowingly about him, poured endless encomuims and accolades on him for laying a solid and excellent foundation during the take-off of the University.
In his emotion-laden speech, Prof. Okwueze, who reminisced on his service as Pioneer Vice-Chancellor, expressed heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the promoters and management of the University for honouring him with excellent award.
He said: “Granted that the basic physical facilities for take-off were already provided by the Promoter, I look back with joy remembering how my administration started from ground zero on every other thing.
“These included, but not limited to developing the academic programmes for all the 9-degree take-off programmes, developing the Students’ Handbook, developing the academic regulations handbook, developing the staff handbook, recruiting of the first set of academic and non-teaching staff, taking fit-for-purpose service/utility decisions on the use of the various physical facilities already on ground at the point of take-off and also developing the greenbook for appointment and promotion of staff, amongst others.”
It would be recalled that prior to his appointment as Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of CCU, Professor Malachy Okwueze had held many administrative responsibilities at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN). These include Head of Department, Associate Dean, Student Affairs, Dean, Student Affairs, Chairman, Senate Ceremonials Committee, Member, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Governing Council Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).
After his service as Pioneer Vice-Chancellor, he served as a member of the Enugu State Executive Council and Deputy Chief of Staff from January 2020 to May 29. 2023.
