Staff of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), have passed a strong vote of confidence on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, amid what stakeholders have described as smear campaigns against him on social media.
The vote of confidence was unanimously passed during a meeting between the Vice-Chancellor and staff of the University, held at the 1,600-capacity Modern Public Lecture Theatre on campus.
The motion was moved by the Director of the MOUAU Business School, Prof. Michael C. Ekwe, and seconded by Dr. Ogechi Jubilant Umeh. It was adopted through a loud voice vote, as staff members took turns to express their confidence in the Vice-Chancellor’s leadership and to commend his administration for its openness, transparency, and commitment to the growth and development of the University since he assumed office on March 1, 2021.
Speaking before the motion was moved, Prof. Ekwe and Dr. Umeh described Prof. Iwe as a man of peace and integrity who has consistently worked towards institutional stability and harmony.
They expressed concern that individuals unfamiliar with the operations of a university would allow themselves to be sponsored to malign the Vice-Chancellor’s image on social media.
Several other staff members who spoke during the meeting declared their solidarity with Prof. Iwe and urged him to remain focused and undeterred until the completion of his tenure.
Earlier in his address, the Vice-Chancellor thanked staff for their overwhelming turnout at the meeting, which was convened at short notice.
He highlighted over 30 achievements recorded by his administration, noting that despite limited resources, the University had continued to make measurable progress.
According to him, the successes recorded were made possible by prudent management and divine intervention.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Ike Nwachukwu offered prayers for the successful completion of Prof. Iwe’s tenure and for the emergence of a successor who would further advance the University to greater heights of excellence.
