By Ikenna Orioha
The immediate past Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), President, and Imo State University Vice Chancellor, Professor Ukachukwu Aloysius Awuzie, has been awarded with “Distinguished Honour Award” by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Imo State University, Owerri.
The award ceremony which took place on 25th April, 2013, at the Imo State University Auditorium, is in line with the meritorious, selfless and active service of Professor Awuzie when he was the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
In his welcome address, the acting Chairman of ASUU, IMSU Chapter, Engr Luke Uzoigwe, welcomed those who were at the event to accord honour to the celebrant, whom he described as a man of good character, accomplished leader, academic giant and full of remarkable exploits.
The ASUU/IMSU Chairman emphasized that professor Awuzie, the first Nigerian Professor of Landscape Architecture, who is from Umuzike, in Orlu LGA, Imo State, Chaired ASUU/IMSU from 2000-2004, where fundamental changes which significantly and positively shaped the welfare of the members were recorded.
Delivering a lecture on the event titled “Home Trouble In The struggle”, Dr Ndubuisi Osuagu of the department of English and Literary studies, University of Calabar, Nigeria, debunked sectionalism and indignalization/localization in the selection of vice Chancellors in the Nigerian University system, which he said had hampered the good existence of Nigeria academic standard.
Dr Osuagu reiterated that there is urgent need for the federal government to review the law on the appointment of Vice Chancellors in order to introduce checks against the continued localization and undue politicization of the office which have had disastrous consequences on the system. He however decried the attitude of some Vice Chancellors who squander universities funds by the federal government, calling on ASUU to put forth selfless sacrifices as professor Awuzie did to achieve the union’s objective of maintaining its rights and Standards.
In his vote of thanks professor Awuzie promised to revitalize Imo State University, pointing out that his administration shall be transparent, fair and objective.
