Chukwuemeka Egejuru, Umuahia
It was a goodwill galore and gathering of big wigs in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) Abia State, as friends and colleagues of former MOUAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ogbonnanya Chikwe Onwudike, joined him in celebration of his 74th birthday.
The event held at the University’s Senator Anyim Pius Anyim Auditorium where MOUAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, reminisced on his days of working with the celebrant, praising him for the positive changes he brought to the University.
Prof. Iwe recounted some of Prof. Onwudike’s achievements particularly in the areas of infrastructural development, staff welfare as well as attracting sundry developmental funds to the University.
Prof. Iwe said the former vice-chancellor is on the positive side of history and would never be forgotten for his good works.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion included the founder of Living Word Ministries and Chancellor of Rhema University, Aba, Bro. Emma Okorie, the Vice-Chancellor of Wesley University, Ondo, Prof. S.N. Ukachukwu – who described Prof. Onwudike as a visionary, astute leader – a sentiment echoed by MOUAU’s senior staff.
In his remarks, Prof. Onwudike, who is the current Vice-Chancellor of Rhema University in Aba, thanked God for preserving his life this far.
The professor of Animal Science also thanked his friends and colleagues for hosting and honouring him.
The ceremony also featured the institution of an endowment fund for graduating students of the University in honour of the former VC.
The best graduating student of the University and one other from the College of Animal Science and Animal Production, in each academic session, would be rewarded with the sum of N50,000 and N20,000 respectively for the next ten academic sessions spanning across10 years.
Prof. Ogbonnanya Onwudike was born on October 12, 1947. He served as the second vice-chancellor of MOUAU from 2001-2006.