BY Tony Edike
ENUGU — THE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Federal University of  Technology Owerri, FUTO, chapter, has applauded the Governing  Council of the university for the transparency in the appointment of the sixth  substantive Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Chigozie Cyril Asiabaka.

In a commendation letter to the Chairman of the Council, signed by the Chairperson and Secretary of ASUU-FUTO, Dr. R. A. Ejimofor and Elder A. C. Ogbonna respectively, and made available to reporters in Enugu, the union  extolled the virtues of the Council, under the leadership of Mr.  Vita Abba, saying it was satisfied  with “the procedure leading to, and the subsequent appointment of the sixth  substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university”.

The Governing Council of FUTO had in accordance with the powers conferred on it  by the provisions of the University (Miscellaneous Provision) Amendment Act 2003 embarked on a rigorous process for the selection of a new vice-chancellor and eventually appointed Prof. Chigozie Cyril Asiabaka as the institution’s 6th  substantive VC a few weeks ago.

Prof. Asiabaka had since taken over from the former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. C. O. E Onwuliri, whose tenure expired on June 18, 2011.

ASUU-FUTO, however, observed with great delight the rancour-free nature of  the selection exercise before, during and after the appointment, contrary to “the  case in some instances of public office appointment in Nigeria”.

The union, therefore, congratulated the Governing Council for living up to the  expectations of the university community, in line with the new administrative  order in Nigeria being championed by President Goodluck Jonathan.