As Prof Eze Emerges the New FUTO VC

AS PROF EZE EMERGES THE NEW FUTO VC

    

  

    The last time I thoroughly checked, Professor Francis Chukwuemeka Eze, the Imo-born eloquent and astute academic remained the next substantive Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the prestigious Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Imo State, Nigeria. This obvious fact was occasioned by the pronouncement made on Thursday March 17, 2016 by the governing body of the university ably led by Dr Emmanuel Enemuo, stating that the academic in question was the winner of the election that was conducted among all the academics that were vying for the highly respected seat.

    FUTO was reportedly agog on the aforementioned date because, according to the jubilant persons, they were unanimously expecting the enthronement of a ‘saint’ as the seventh substantive VC of the ancient citadel of higher learning in the person of Prof F.C. Eze. They went further to state that the said academic didn’t just deserve the honour, but was hyper qualified. This very reaction happened to be one of the factors that triggered my pensive pen.

     Let me quickly intimate us that there is a rigorous outstanding proceeding comprising different phases toward the election of a university’s Vice-Chancellor. This proceeding ranges from various screening exercises to aptitude tests and the election proper which may last for several months. Along the line, most of the aspirants made up of well celebrated professors would be dropped or shown the way out prior to the election phase which invariably marks the last phase of the uncompromising ritual. This, no doubt, implies that Prof Eze just successfully returned from an inevitable holistic academic odyssey having been declared the overall winner of that rigorous exercise.

    It’s noteworthy that Prof Eze’s emergence as the FUTO VC is long overdue owing to how much he has been longing to sit on that hot seat. It would be recalled that the incoming VC was one of the top aspirants for the said position in 2011, in which the outgoing VC Prof C.C Asiabaka emerged victorious. In spite of the fathomless challenges trailing suchlike ambition, he remained resolute and resilient till this moment when fortune thought it wise to smile at his person.

    Prof Eze, a native of Ideato-South LGA of Imo State, who is a Professor of Experimental Solid State Physics and Material Science had his first degree, Master’s and doctorate programmes in the Universities of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Dundee – Scotland, and also UNN, respectively. After his Bachelor of Science, he worked as a banker before proceeding to his subsequent academic pursuits. Immediately after his PhD, he became a teacher in FUTO. As a veteran academic, he has authored and co-authored numerous academic journals, text books and articles among other innumerable publications in Industrial Physics.

     He is a two-time Head of the Department (HOD) of Physics, FUTO. In 2008 when he was serving for the second time in the aforesaid capacity, as a result of his exemplary prowess, he doubled as the Dean of the School of Sciences (SOSC) which was recently split into two separate autonomous faculties namely – School of Physical Sciences (SOPS) and School of Biological Sciences (SOBS) by the university’s Senate. Then, he concurrently served as HOD and Dean until someone succeeded him in the former.

    Thereafter, he was recognized as the Director of the Nuclear Energy and Research Centre of the university; a position, in which he relentlessly and doggedly showcased the best in him to the envy of his colleagues, both far and near. Consequently, in 2013, he was expectedly appointed as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor on Administration under the able leadership of the outing VC Prof Chigozie C. Asiabaka; a post which he holds till date.

     As an indisputable scholar and intellect-driven experimental physicist, in addition to the Fellowship he presently enjoys in countless reputable local and international professional societies, he is a Fellow to the famous Nigerian Institute of Physics (NIP). He’s a Christian to the core to the glory of God; as a well grounded practising Catholic, he was inducted into the Knighthood of Saint John International (KSJI) many years ago. By His grace, he’s currently happily married with four children.

     It would interest you to acknowledge that Prof F.C. Eze is my teacher. He thought me way back in the university during my first degree, and I happened to have a personal relationship with him. He’s a man who believes in hard work, thus never joked with serious-minded students. He taught me Analytical Mechanics during the Harmattan semester of my third year (300 Level); and I can’t forget in a hurry the bonus mark he granted to me when I answered a question he raised, which none of my classmates was able to, during one of his classes.

     He’s a passion-driven, strict and very serious-minded individual. In 2008 when FUTO hosted the NIP conference, I was privileged to be among the Local Organizing Committee and that was when he was serving as the HOD of Physics Department for the second time. During the said era, the mentorship I enjoyed from his person was tremendous. Aside his zealous and brilliant nature, that was when I realized that he’s not just humble, but down to earth despite his gigantic posture. And, that very conference became nothing but extremely a success because he was at the helm of affairs.

     He understands the essence of open-door administration, and also gives anyone a listening ear irrespective of the circumstance. This singular attribute alone makes hundreds of thousands of people attracted to him. As an experienced teacher and administrator, he acknowledges when to mix lecture or administration, as the case may be, with humour. His sense of humour can keep one’s brain busy for a whole day. Even when one’s medulla oblongata seems incapacitated or dull, he knows how to reactivate it.

    As this fine gentleman is ready to assume duty as the 7^th substantive VC of FUTO come June 2016, everyone who really believes in competence and trustworthiness is seriously yearning to embrace the awaited epoch-making event that’s expected to usher in a new era.

    So, at this juncture I wholeheartedly say: congratulations, my able Prof. Meanwhile, you needn’t to be reminded that in two months time by His grace, FUTO would seemingly be in your hands, thus you’re required to do everything humanly possible towards ensuring that the university is placed ahead of others not just within Nigeria but beyond. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

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