The Vice-Chancellor of Akex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike,Prof. Sunday Elom has inaugurated the newly elected Students’ Union Executive of the University, charging them to be aboveboard in their dealings with students.

The inauguration ceremony which took place at the Vice-Chancellor’s conference room yesterday, ushered in a new students’ leadership after the expiration of the tenure of the SUG Caretaker Committee.

 

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor commended the Electoral Committee for the successful utilization of the Electronic Voting System in the election of the students’ leadership, a first of its kind in the history of the institution.

He also commended the staff of the Department of Computer Science, especially      Dr. Henry Okemiri for developing and deploying the e-voting program software that was used during the election, vowing that e-voting system has come to stay in the university.

 

He further thanked the Caretaker Committee under the chairmanship of Comrade Chukwubuikem Mmaduagwuna for embarking on impactful projects despite their short tenure, and charged the new executive to be responsible, responsive, and transparent in the course of their assignments.

The Vice-Chancellor reminded the new executive that their election was a call to service, therefore, they must take their responsibilities seriously by replicating, sustaining and surpassing the achievements of previous SUG administrations; and equally advised them to comply strictly with the oath of office they have taken and abide by the rules and regulations of the university, as there would be penalties for violation.

 

Prof. Elom emphasized on the need for togetherness, cooperation and synergy among the executive and the legislators to ensure peace and rancor-free tenure, and warned the SUG President against working alone.

The Dean Students’ Affairs, Dr. Charles Okolie in his remarks, urged the students’ leaders to be true representatives of the students and not to derail from their main purpose on which premise the mandate was given to them.

 

He specifically admonished them not be carried away by school politics but rather continuously keep in mind their core objective of being in the university, which is to complete their academic work within the stipulated period.

Earlier in his valedictory speech, the SUG Caretaker Committee chairman, Comrade Maduagwuna, thanked the management for the opportunity given them to serve the university in various capacities.

 

He enumerated some of  their achievements within the short period in office as constant cleaning of the school environment and construction of underground incinerator, ensuring the provision of some basic amenities like, water, whiteboards, provision of sanitary pads/toiletries to female students, recovery of students’ stolen phones, construction of new ultra-modern toilets and bathrooms in the boys’ hostel and other achievements in the social, sports, information and academic sectors; adding that all these wouldn’t have been possible without the strong support of the Vice-Chancellor and his team.

He promised to continue to lend his support to the new executive to ensure continuous progress in the students’ unionism in particular and the university at large.

In his Inaugural speech, the new SUG president, Senator Wilson Umahi, acknowledged the Vice-Chancellor for the wonderful role he has continued to play in ensuring that students elect their leaders in a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

 

He noted his administration’s readiness to tackle issues affecting students especially in the area of cultism; and pledged to establish anti-cult and surveillance squads to curtail security challenges on campus.

He also called on students to support the new administration to take the university to greater heights.

 

Highlights of the inauguration ceremony were the administration of oath of office on the SUG executive and legislators by the representative of the Head, Legal Unit, Barr. Chinazu OIkafor and the decoration of the Vice-Chancellor as the Grand Patron of the Students’ Union Government of the University.