Pic: The COOU VC, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha
By David Onwuchekwa
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has publicly defended his decision to appoint Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha as the fifth substantive Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU).
The Governor declared that he ignored intense lobbying and political pressure because he believed she was the most qualified person to lead the institution.
Governor Soludo made the declaration on Sunday during a thanksgiving Mass at St. Paul Catholic Church, Nnobi, organised to mark Prof. Omenugha’s first anniversary in office as Vice-Chancellor and the 70th birthday celebration of her husband, Dr Michael Omenugha (Ichie Obama).
The event drew government officials, political associates, academics, members of the clergy, family members and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the Vice-Chancellor’s milestone in office and her husband’s landmark birthday.
‘Merit, Not Pressure, Determined My Choice’
Addressing the congregation, Soludo explained that his administration deliberately chose Omenugha because of her proven competence, integrity and impressive record in public service, particularly during her tenure as Anambra State Commissioner for Education.
According to the Governor, her performance in reforming the education sector distinguished her from other contenders and convinced him that she possessed the leadership qualities required to reposition the university.
He explained that appointments under his administration are driven by merit rather than political influence, insisting that the future of the university was too important to be sacrificed on the altar of personal interests.
“I refused to succumb to pressure because the interest of the university and the state was paramount,” Soludo declared.
The Woman Who Shut Down 486 ‘Miracle Centres’
Soludo recalled one of Omenugha’s most celebrated achievements as Commissioner for Education—the closure of more than 486 so-called “miracle centres” notorious for examination malpractice across Anambra State.
He described the action as a bold demonstration of courage, discipline and commitment to restoring integrity to the state’s education system.
According to him, not many public officers would have been willing to confront entrenched interests in the education sector the way Omenugha did.
The Governor noted that her uncompromising stance against examination fraud reflected the kind of leadership required to build strong educational institutions capable of competing globally.
A Vision for COOU and Anambra’s Future
Soludo further insisted that Omenugha represents the type of transformational leader needed to advance his administration’s long-term vision of making Anambra a smart, digital, livable and prosperous homeland by the year 2070.
He expressed confidence that under her leadership, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University would witness significant academic growth, institutional reforms and improved standards.
Appointment Still Faces Court Test
The Governor ‘s remarks come against the backdrop of an ongoing legal challenge over Omenugha’s appointment.
One of the contestants in the Vice-Chancellorship selection process, Prof. Chike Osegbue, has approached the National Industrial Court, contending that he emerged first in the selection exercise while Prof. Omenugha was reportedly ranked fifth.
The suit is still pending before the court, making Soludo’s public defence of the appointment his strongest justification yet for the controversial decision.
Despite the litigation, the Governor maintained that his administration acted in the best interest of both the university and Anambra State, reiterating that competence and integrity, not lobbying or pressure, remain the defining criteria for appointments under his government.
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Tags: Soludo, COOU, Kate Omenugha, Vice-Chancellor, Anambra, Education, Chike Osegbue, Merit, Governance
