Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state, has said that tertiary educational institutions hold the key to the nation’s economic and technological advancement.
Ugwuanyi made the statement when he played host to the 15th Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Charles Igwe, who led other principal officers of the university and some members of the Governing Council, to pay a courtesy call on the Governor at the Government House, Enugu.
The Governor said that he was impressed UNN was recently ranked as the number one University in Nigeria and 17th in Africa coupled with its recent feat of producing the nation’s first electric car.
He pointed out that the feats bear eloquent testimony to the efforts that are being made to reposition the University for greater accomplishments, stating “as a government, we have continued to place a very high premium on the improvement of the quality and standard of education in Enugu State”.
Gov. Ugwuanyi who welcomed the vice chancellor and his entourage to the Government House, Enugu, on behalf of the Government and the people of Enugu State congratulated him on his recent appointment to “the revered and highly coveted office”.
The governor expressed delight at the numerous accomplishments of the university in the “educational and intellectual advancement of our people” despite many challenges since its establishment 59 years ago.
“One of the focal points of this drive has been the development and implementation of policies designed to revitalize educational institutions at all levels in the state.
“In this regard, we want to assure you of our commitment to strengthening the existing relationship, partnership and cooperation between the state and the University of Nigeria.
“It is certainly in our interest that the institution attains the desired heights in academic and technological excellence that would help stimulate the significant transformation of our society”.
Earlier the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), lauded Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for the good governance initiatives of his administration in the state, including in the university and its environs.
Prof. Igwe, who is the 15th substantive and first alumnus vice chancellor of UNN, thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for his intervention in water reticulation on the Enugu campus of the institution, UNEC.
Prof. Igwe told Gov. Ugwuanyi that he was at the Government House, Enugu, to formally introduce himself to him as “our landlord” and “a super Lion occupying the Lion Building”.
He said, “there is no way we can take off without first of all calling on you to give us your blessings”.
He used the opportunity to express the profound gratitude of the management and students of the university to the governor for addressing the problem of water scarcity in UNEC.
The new VC appreciated the existing working relationship between the governor and the federal university, saying: “you have always been one of us; you have always shown interest in the events and happenings at the University of Nigeria”.
Prof. Igwe, who described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a brother, humble and visionary leader, maintained that the university “will continue to talk about the water reticulation at UNEC”.
