ANOTHER ROUND OF CHANGE OF MANTLES AT AE-FUNAI AS DIRECTOR AND DEANS PASS HAND OVER NOTES.
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, witnessed another round of transfer of mantles of leadership on Friday, September 4, 2020, as Director of Academic Planning(DAP), Dean, Faculty of Management and Social Science(FMSS) and Dean, School of Post-Graduate Studies (SPGS) passed hand over notes to incoming DAP, Dean, FMSS, and Dean, SPGS, respectively, that same day.


Outgoing DAP, Prof Ejike making his speech
Following the recent directives of University Authorities on 2020/2021 Disposition of Management, by which some Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments/ Units and Coordinators, were retained in their positions for another tenure after completing their tenures for 12 months as required, while some few others were moved to other positions, there has been occasions of official hand over of mantles of leadership, in meeting September 1, 2020 deadline for commencement of the 2020/2021 tenure, with Friday 4, 2020, recording three major hand over ceremonies.


Incoming DAP, Prof Ezeoha making acceptance speech
First for the day was at Directorate of Academic Planning, where the outgoing Director, Professor Chukwunonso ECC Ejike organized special handover ceremony with a session of tree planting as memorial. Presenting his hand over notes to the incoming DAP, Prof Abel Ezeoha, who would in turn hand over his former position as Dean, FMSS, later that day, to the new Dean, Prof Smart Otu, Prof Ejike took his opening words from stanzas of AE-FUNAI anthem; By setting our sights on enlightened horizon, recognizing that sweet from sweat endures, we shall take our place among the stars!, and there after congratulated Prof Ezeoha on his appointment as DAP, urging him to be guided by the words of the anthem and ensure he lives up the expectations.


Prof Ejike endorsing handover notes
The Professor of Medical Biochemistry, who would be assuming office later that day as Dean, SPGS, X-rayed the Directorate by way of presenting the total picture, to among other information, chronicle the responsibilities, achievements, available human and material resources, and needs impending tasks. Prof Ejike expressed profound gratitude to VC, Prof Chinedum Nwajiuba for giving him the rare opportunity and privilege to serve the young university in very important positions especially for making his position as DAP count. He was also grateful to his predecessors, Professors Afam Icha- Ituma, Kevin Nwogu and Johny Ogunji, for laying the solid foundation and the university Senate, Management and staff, for their cooperation and support, concluding in these words; “ As DAP, I did my best. I know you will do your best. Those who set their hands on the plough would not look back; like the Roman soldier, they should be compelled to respond to the dictum ‘forward ever’ “, promising to make himself available to assist in any way and any time he is required to do so.


Prof Ejike handing over to Prof Ezeoha
In his acceptance speech, the new DAP, Prof Ezeoha was all praise to God and gratitude to his predecessor, for the achievements of the Directorate during his tenure and for making the work easier for him by his articulated hand over notes, which will provide appropriate direction for the navigation, pledging to do his best and work together with staff of the Directorate and of course him (Prof Ejike), who he requested to always be there for him and the Directorate, to ensure no stone is left unturned in their effort to deliver maximally on the numerous responsibilities the Directorate is saddled with. He thanked VC, Prof Nwajiuba and university management for finding him worthy of the position.


Prof Ejike, flanked by Prof Ezeoha(R), Prof Otu(L) and other University Officers

Tree Planting To Mark Handing Over at DAP



Next for the day was at the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences (FMSS), where the outgoing Dean, Prof Abel Ezeoha, who took over as DAP, earlier in the day, handed over to Prof Smart Out, new Dean of the Faculty. While presenting his hand over document, Prof Ezeoha said that every information required for the smooth running of the faculty was contained there in, assuring the incoming Dean that he will always be available to provide more information and explanations on any part of the hand over note, whenever such are needed. He told Prof Otu that the structure he inherited from his predecessor, Prof Afam Icha-Ituma, who is currently Vice- Chancellor of Coal City University, Enugu, is still in place, pointing out that they have worked hard to align to the dream of Prof Icha-Ituma, which was to build an internationalized faculty, considering the profiles of the staff. He assured that the structure and dream, imploring the new Dean to work in that direction. Prof Ezeoha inferred that it is their collective responsibility to ensure that the mission of the university and dream of VC, Prof Chinedum Nwajiuba, as has been in his lips the past weeks, must not be allowed to fade off and die, affirming his confidence in the capacity of the new Dean, who he said, has all it takes to drive the faculty to the next level.


Outgoing Dean, FMSS, Prof Ezeoha Handing Over to Incoming Dean, Prof Otu
Prof Otu thanked his predecessor for the way he piloted the affairs within the short period he was Dean, requesting that even as he goes to other responsibilities, he will always be available to interface with them as he will always be consulted for guidance, promising that he will do his best to sustain the global outlook of the faculty, live up to expectations and true to the confidence reposed on him, while working harmoniously with the faculty staff. He express his gratitude to VC, Prof Nwajiuba for giving him the opportunity to serve the university stating that “we shall ensure we continue to align with the vision and mission of the university”.


Prof Otu Signing Handover Notes


Prof Otu and Prof Ezeoha in group photo with Faculty Staff

At the School of Post- Graduate Studies where the third and last hand over for that day happened, Prof Akoh, outgoing Dean and new Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Academic), was simple in his speech, as he handed over mantle of leadership of the School to Prof Chukwunonso Ejike, former DAP. Prof Akoh, welcomed all colleagues and staff present at the brief event, excited that they were able to actualize the mandates of having to graduate Post-Graduate students who had stayed, during the last convocation and achieving overwhelming success in the resource verification for newly accredited programmes, within the one year, he was in charge, adding that they are hoping to have the first set of Ph. D graduates soon.


Prof Ejike Signing Handover Notes at SPGS
The outgoing Dean did not hide his joy that he is leaving the seat for somebody he trusts has the capacity to paddle the school through its responsibilities and advance to higher level, expressing hope that COVID-I9 and lockdown will go finally to allow the running of the system. He announced to Prof Ejike that SPGS has very good set of staff who know their jobs and how best to provide support “ This note may not have accommodated all you require but with the presence of the highly experienced and committed staff and reliable data base, you can get all you need” he affirmed.


DVC, Prof Akoh Handing Over to Prof EJike as New Dean, SPGS
In his response, Prof Ejike said it was a great honour and rare privilege that he was taking over from a Deputy Vice-Chancellor and someone he could confidently call his friend and more elated that staff of the School turned out in their numbers to witness the event, despite the lockdown. He said he would meet with the Secretary of the School on September7, 2020, to let him into the system and working of the school, for the smooth takeoff and plan for the way forward.


Profs Akoh, Ejike,Ezeoha and Staff of SPGS in group photograph