All About Professor Nimi Briggs

The Alex Ekwueme Federal University Governing Council were on campus from Monday, February 7 till Wednesday 10^th February for the council’s 26^th Regular meeting. That afforded members of the council opportunity to participate in the valedictory activities of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba and demonstrate the magnitude of respect and appreciation for him in view of the unprecedented achievements he recorded as 2^nd substantive Vice-Chancellor of a new generation university, he succeeded in transforming to an enviable ivory tower within the short period he took charge.

First in the line- up of honours for Prof. Nwajiuba was the naming of the new Senate Building, which was built and completed in record time under his watch, after him, on the 8^th of February, 2021.  The Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Jerome PASQUIER, who was on a special visit to AE-FUNAI, commissioned the building, which the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Emeritus Professor Nimi Dimkpa Briggs declared, as agreed by Council, Prof. Chinedum Uzoma Nwajiuba Building, in recognition of his giant strides since 2016 when he became Vice-Chancellor of the young, fast-growing and most serious public university in Nigeria. For the Chairman of Council and the Ambassador of France, it is an honour very well deserved but for Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, it was unexpected and overwhelming. He remained very grateful for such great honour done him.

Next was the parting gift of a brand new Prado Jeep to replace the old Toyota ForeRunner Jeep he has used since he assumed office as VC. In performing the official handover of the state-of-the-art vehicle to Prof. Nwajiuba, on Tuesday, 9^th February 2021,  Emeritus Prof. Briggs requested him to hand over the keys of the old car to Chairman of Council, for the keys of the new vehicle and that was done accordingly. Prof. Nwajiuba did not hide his excitement and gratitude to the Council and management for honouring him with such a rare gift and asked God to bless and honour them as they have done to him.

Council also sponsored a cocktail party, the same evening, Tuesday 9^th February 2021, at Osborne La Palm, Abakaliki in honour of Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, during which formal letters of Disengagement and Commendation were presented to him by Registrar and Secretary of Council and Chairman of Council, respectively. Introducing the event, Prof. Dennis Ameh Akoh, DVC, Academic and Chairman of Valedictory Committee, said that the cocktail was being held in honour of the outgoing VC, Prof. Nwajiuba, who has done so much to take the university from where he found it to an enviable position. There were so much singing and dancing and a lot to eat and drink.  Some of the guests used the opportunity to make public comments on the person, leadership style and achievements of Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba. Among those who spoke was Hon. Jafaar Ibrahim, external Council member, who described Prof. Nwajiuba as a go-getter and said that AE-FUNAI is lucky to have had a person like him, stating that “ we are praying for you and God is already answering our prayers”. He urged him to think AE-FUNAI wherever he goes.

Prof. Afam Icha-Ituma, immediate past Dean of Faculty of Management and Social Science, AE-FUNAI and currently the Vice-Chancellor of Coal City University, Enugu wished the outgoing VC well, while praying for the success of the incoming VC, Prof, Sunday Elom. The successor of Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, who would take over the mantle of leadership the next day said he was finding it difficult to say goodbye to his colleague and predecessor but that naturally, he had to go and that as he goes, he should not forget them because he would be called upon from time to time, as he has seen it all as university administration is a collective responsibility. Prof. Elom promised to work as unto God and to keep the flag which Prof. Nwajiuba has so raised, flying, nonstop.

Registrar commended Chairman of Council for the good work he is doing and wished Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba the blessings and grace of God as he leaves for the next assignment at NUC while praying for the success of the incoming administration under the leadership of her new boss, Prof. Sunday Elom. Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council said the prayer and wish of Council are that we continue to soar like eagles, we are.

Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba remarked that from all that has happened, it is glaring that AE-FUNA is God’s special project, inferring that universities in Nigeria need to be original, hence what they did at AE-FUNAI these five years was to harness originality and superiority but regrets that most institutions in Nigeria have accepted inferiority status. He said that as he goes, he is encouraged by the testimony of our students especially as they are now bold to identify with AE-FUNAI, which is good evidence that his administration has done well.

The outgoing VC restated that at no time did Prof. Elom ask him (Nwajiuba) to make him VC but that the choice was divine. He commended his successor for his demonstration of integrity in all major assignments he handled while working with him as DVC, Academic, stressing that strength of character is key to success in leadership. He urged Prof. Elom to consolidate on the unprecedented rapid expansion of the university as God has positioned him to take the university to next level. “ I wish you well and I know you will do well. Together we can build an original university with character and integrity”, he declared.