The Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, has described late Professor Cyril Agodi Onwumechili, as an administrator par excellence whose innovations brought Anambra State University of Technology, ASUTECH (now ESUT) into the global academic map.
Prof. Okolie stated that late Prof. Onwumechili, who was the first Deputy Vice President of ASUTECH from 1983 to 1984, and its second President (1984_1986), through his ingenuity, laid foundation which made ASUTECH stand tall among its contemporaries and other universities of technology in Nigeria.
He also noted that the Late Prof. Onwumechili advanced the frontiers of research, outreaches and collaborations between ASUTECH and other institutions which yielded remarkable positive transformations in the University.
These were contained in a tribute delivered by the ESUT VC, during the Mock Senate/Valedictory Session in honour of late Prof. Onwumechili at the Prof. Julius Onah Auditorium, Agbani, Enugu State on Thursday.
“…His innovative and creative ideas brought about the merger/demerger with our sister institution, Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, and the introduction of seven new Faculties; (Agriculture, Education, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Law, Management Sciences and Social Sciences) to complement the existing three faculties which the University had at the inception,” he noted.
Prof. Okolie pointed out that it was under his watch in 1983 that ASUTECH produced the first commercial line of personal computers and servers in the whole of black Africa, adding that the then Director of Industrial Development Centre,(IDC) Prof. Oliver Mobison involved undergraduates of the Institution in the development of the ASUTECH 800 series of Personal Computers.
Prof. Okolie stressed that as the first Nigerian Geophysicist, the late Professor Onwumechili, superintended the famous Research and Production team during the Nigerian Civil War, adding that he equally produced professors, Ph.Ds, etc.and encouraged everyone who came his way.
Also, while presenting his tribute, the pioneer Registrar of ESUT, Prof Festus C.Eze, described the late Prof Onwumechili, as a great man who fought to keep and sustain ASUTECH during its formative years.
Prof. Eze equally said that late Prof Onwumechili, had deep understanding of how the university system should be run, adding that he was a great man with great vision who inspired and encouraged others in their endeavours.
The former Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Prof Cyprian Onyeji, and Prof. Benjamin Marie, of the Faculty of Agriculture, ESUT, among others who gave hallowing tributes to the late international scholar, described him as exemplary, distinguished academic and administrator par excellence.
While giving his vote of thanks, the son of late Prof Onwumechili, Prof. Chuka Onwumechili, said he was proud of the positive testimonies given by those who encountered his late dad while he was alive.
Prof. Chuka, who is a communication scholar also thanked the ESUT Management and the community at large for honouring his late father, saying that his late dad loved the University passionately.
The principal officers of ESUT led the University community during the valedictory session in honour of the late academic cum administrative colossus.
