By Charles Igbo
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has appointed a Vice Chancellor for the new University of Agriculture & Environmental Studies. UAES.
He is Professor Patrick Ekezie Egbule.
The new University is located at Umuagwo, along the Owerri Port Harcourt road. Before now, the site initially harboured the College of Agriculture, Umuagwo. The name was later changed during the Rochas Okorocha Government to Imo Polytechnic, Umuagwo.
A couple of months to the end of his Government, Okorocha shocked many when he said he had secured licences for five new Universities in the State. The shock stemmed from the fact that the Government-owned Imo State University, was collapsing due to poor funding and lack of infrastructure. The question, then was: Where will the State find money to fund five additional tertiary institutions? The new University of Agriculture was one of them.
However, none of institutions took off. They were there in name.
Recently, Governor Uzodinma started afresh with the University of Agriculture & Environmental Studies.
There is a controversy over whether he got a new licence, or it is the same licence Okorocha secured before the end of his tenure.
It was heart-warming when Uzodinma finally announced its take-off.
A couple of days ago, the Governor announced Egbule as the pioneer Vice Chancellor, signalling the take-off of the institution.
The new Vice Chancellor is a well-heeled academic.
A Professor of Agricultural and Workforce Education, he was, Director of Academic Planning, Delta State University, Abraka.
Egbule is a native of Ekwe, Isu Local Government Area, Orlu, Imo State.
His appointment, has however raised eye brows from both the Owerri and Okigwe Zones. Many are asking why the Government would appoint a Vice Chancellor from Orlu when the Imo State University’s Chancellor who he, also, appointed not quite long, is from the same Orlu Zone.
In the last 14 to 16 years, Orlu Zone has consistently produced the Vice Chancellors of Imo State University.
Professor Egbule had served in many academic/administrative positions. He was the Head of Department and, Dean of Vocational Education, DELSU, Abraka.
Those who know him say Egbule is well regarded Internationally in his field of studies. He is a member of the Igbo Studies Association, ISA.
