Onyebuchi Onwuchekwa, Owerri
The Governing Council of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, has appointed Prof. Stella Ngozi Lemchi as Acting Vice-Chancellor.
The Council made the appointment at their inaugural meeting in the institution on Thursday, 25th July, 2024 following her recommendation by the University Senate. The appointment is with immediate effect.
In a letter signed by the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Council, Sen. Dr. Joy Emodi, CON and dated July 25, 2024, the Council congratulated Prof. Lemchi on her appointment. This development comes as the University continues to build on its recent upgrade from a College of Education to a University.
Under the leadership of Sen. Dr. Joy Emodi, CON, the pioneer Governing Council has emphasised the importance of cooperation between the Council, University and host communities. During the Council’s meetings with various stakeholders, Sen. Dr. Emodi urged for a tripartite relationship, stating that success would come through collective effort.
Prof. Stella Lemchi is a Professor of Home Economics Education and a former Provost of the erstwhile College of Education. Before her appointment, Prof Lemchi had been overseeing the institution’s affairs since its upgrade last year as the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).
Investigator News gathered that about four months ago,the coalition of four house unions in the institution have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider appointing Professor (Mrs) Stella Lemchi as the substantive vice chancellor.
The four house unions which comprises of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) transiting to ASUU, Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN) transiting to SSANU, Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) jointly signed a communique passing a vote of confidence on the acting deputy vice chancellor, Prof. Lemchi to be promoted as the VC.
The unions highlighted some of the achievements of Professor Lemchi at Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, to include infrastructural Upgrade: such as prioritizing the renovation of hostels, enhancing their ambiance and functionality, deploying the federal government revitalization fund, to change over 200 doors and windows, tiling the floors of the two hostels, rebuilt the toilets completely and installed befitting and safe kitchens for the students,improved water supply in the hostels, complete repainting of the edifice and installation of electrical works, wardrobes and bed.
According to the unions, the acting DVC also initiated the construction of a Professors’ block in the Shell Camp area and increased developments in the campus across River Nworie. She has also fought doggedly to stop further encroachment in the campus across Nworie. Currently, the Lemchi administration is working on plans to fix the ecological problems in the river bank to enable the use of the bridge.
