The Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji has assured the management of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) that the Assembly will leverage on the existing harmonious relationship with the Executive arm of government to pay attention to the needs of the university and ensure it provides the needed academic services and perform optimally.
He stated this when a delegation of the university’s top management team led by the Vice Chancellor Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the Assembly complex in Umuahia.
The Speaker expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor and his management team for thinking it wise to visit and synergise with the Assembly and seek legislative intervention in securing the land ceded to the University since 1994 as well as in the cumulated arrears of tax payable by staff of the university to the government, which they said had become a burden too heavy on them.
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The Speaker assured that he and his colleagues would do everything within their powers to ensure that the Vice Chancellor and his team succeeded.
He requested that a formal letter detailing their requests be forwarded to the Assembly as soon as possible to enable them “leverage on the smooth relationship between the Abia State House of Assembly and the Executive to bring solutions to the issues presented”.
The Speaker who extolled the attributes of honesty of Prof Iwe who is also the National President of the Scripture Union said he was sure the Vice Chancellor as an Abia man would be especially dedicated and committed to the growth and development of the university located in the heart of Abia State.
The Speaker also described his colleagues as highly committed, cooperative and responsible lawmakers who even go beyond their primary legislative duties to embark on projects that bring succour g to their constituents. He emphasised that the lawmakers have always worked to maintain the smooth relationship between the executive and the legislature because “it is inexpensive and more effective to work harmoniously with the executive than create a rancorous environment that will only stall development”, promising that his colleagues will work with him to help the university achieve their goals.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe extolled the Speaker’s exceptional leadership qualities which he said has brought about the “harmonious management of the State”.
He said that even though the university management had earlier met the Governor and tabled some requests before him, they were taking advantage of the “harmonious relationship we have observed between the Executive and the Legislative Arms of Government in the State” to request “your legislative intervention in securing the land ceded to the University since 1994”.
The Vice Chancellor who is the 6th of the University since its creation, said as an Abia indigene, he has a personal stake in the State and would “provide every necessary support to all arms of government of the State to succeed”.
He later proceeded to present a gifts to the Speaker.
The Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu, led other lawmakers to the meeting while members of the delegation from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) included: Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, and Chairman of Senate, Dr Mrs Nkechi Nkem Iwe – President, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Women Association (MOUAUWA), Prof Udo Herbert, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof Franca Elechi Asawalam, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Mrs Jacinta Ogwo-Agu, Registrar, Elder Joseph Kalu Okorie, Bursar, Elder Uche Arua, Librarian, Dr Moses Agbai, Mr Ndubuisi Mgbemena, Director, Internal Audit.
Others are: Prof Johnbull Echeme, Director, (Academic Planning), Mr Ugochukwu Ironkwe, Director, Budget, Expenditure and Payroll, Prof Anthony Ajuzieogu Nlewadim, Director MOUAU Limited, Sir Alex Okafor, Chief Security Officer and Adanma Odefa, University Public Relations Officer.
