THE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, chapter have said that its decision to honour a former Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman of the institution, Dr. Emeka Enejere, was informed by his valuable contributions to the survival of UNN during its turbulent years.

They specifically said that Enejere, as Chairman of Governing Council, ensured that UNN was rescued from retrogressive forces.

In separate chats with Vanguard, the President of ASSU, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Abada and Chairman of SSANU, Comrade Paul Erua, unanimously described Enejere as one of the heroes of UNN whose contributions would remain inestimable.

According to Abada, “under the past administration of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which was known for impunity, Dr. Enejere ensured that some anomalies in the school were corrected. The former vice chancellor of the institution contributed to the anomalies which Enejere tried to correct. Dr. Enejere was able to resist their attempts to put the institution on the wrong path. He was suspended by the last administration for these reasons.

“The suspension was so unpopular. Till this moment, no letter has been given to him, that is why the workers in the institution see him as a very different and upright person. He deserves to be honoured. There is no type of award that will be enough to appreciate such a person because he has showed that there are still men of honour in Nigeria. This honour is being given to him on the basis of merit.

“He was my teacher and we enjoyed good relationship with him. That was why he wanted to change things for the better when he came back to his alma mater. And wherever he is, he is a complete gentleman. He is a model, who should be emulated.”

On his part, Erua said: “In the light of the obvious debasement of the system, we mobilised support and resolved to recover the university from the brink. This was made possible by the then Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, who opened our eyes to the impunity that was going on.

“I am happy to say that with the fresh ideas thrown up through collaborative efforts, what resulted is a new and improved UNN as exemplified by so many accomplishments. There is no doubt that the outstanding conducts of our awardees will guarantee them, continuing relevance in both regional and national affairs.

“The award on our part is a demonstration of affection and gratitude to these great Nigerians who had made defining contributions in our quest to restore the dignity of man, especially during the turbulent years. By the exemplary conducts, they have lasting legacies for the present and unborn generations of Nigeria.”

Enejere, who until last year was the institution’s Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman is a scholar and administrator of global repute.