In apparent continuation of his policy of wooing powerful political forces in the state, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has appointed Mrs. Jane Udewo Nnamani and Mrs. Patricia Mgbaonyere Nwobodo into the newly reconstituted Governing Council of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).
The duo are the wives of the former governor of the old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo and former president of the senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, respectively, who are both members of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and also hail from the same community, Amechi-Awkunanaw in Enugu South Local Government Area of the state.
Other members of the council are two prominent Catholic clergymen, the Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Onah, who is the chairman of the council, and Rev. Fr. Obiora Ike.
Also in the new council are His Royal Highness, Igwe Sampson Ukpabi, Prof. Emmanuel Ezeugwu and Dr. Carol Nwakeago Obayi,
The vice chancellor of the university, Prof. Luke Anike will serve in the council as an ex-officio member, while the registrar, Mr. Leonard Kama serves as the secretary.
At the inauguration ceremony at the Government House, Enugu, Ugwuanyi ordered the full payment of salaries owed to the recently disengaged 153 staff of the university.
The governor gave the directive while inaugurating the newly reconstituted Governing Council of the university which has the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Igwebuike Onah as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman.
Governor Ugwuanyi noted that his administration took the decision in line with its promise to alleviate poverty and ameliorate suffering of the people, especially those who were recently disengaged by the institution, adding that it will help to bring to an end the persistent complaints and discontent of the affected staff and concerned members of the society over the matter.
The governor who said that the management of the institution will provide 50% of the total sum for the payment of the salaries, while government provides the balance of 50%, however, expressed confidence that the members of the council will deploy their proven competence, knowledge and experience to take ESUT to the pinnacle of intellectual and technological excellence.
In his address, the Chairman of the council, Most Rev. Onah thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in members of the council to serve the state and assured him of their collective resolve to collaborate with his administration to lift the institution to an enviable height.
