By Steve Oko

The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) on Monday entered a new chapter as Professor Orsular Akanwa, the institution’s first female and seventh Vice-Chancellor, formally resumed duty with a bold pledge to reposition the university as an entrepreneurial agricultural powerhouse.

Addressing staff, students and stakeholders at a well-attended ceremony, Akanwa outlined an ambitious investment plan aimed at boosting the university’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

The initiatives include floating a construction company, establishing a feed mill, oil palm mill and cassava processing plant, reviving livestock farms, and rolling out year-round greenhouse vegetable production.

“My vision is to transform MOUAU into a financially autonomous, innovation-driven agricultural university that leads in research, agribusiness, food security and national development,” she said to loud applause.

Beyond revenue expansion, the new VC promised improved welfare for staff and students, committing to prompt payment of salaries and entitlements, transparent appraisal and promotion processes, and harmonious engagement with staff unions.

She described unions as “strategic partners” and vowed to work closely with them, while also pledging zero tolerance for student deviance and stronger ties with donor and host communities.

Akanwa thanked the Governing Council for her appointment and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for confirming it, pledging loyalty to the Federal Government’s vision for education and agriculture.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, described Akanwa’s emergence as “the dawn of a new era,” dismissing allegations of bias and insisting the selection process was rigorous, transparent and merit-based.

“Today, this university has been liberated,” Edeh declared, adding that the N100 million land rent waiver granted by the Abia State Government would be channelled into scholarships for students from host communities.

Goodwill messages poured in from unions and students and described the new VC as a square peg in a square hole.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) pledged cooperation, urging inclusive leadership and cautioning against sycophancy.

Professor Francis Nka, and Elvis Agu who spoke for ASUU and SSANU, respectively, assured the new VC of the unions’ support and cooperation but urged her to carry them along.

Student leaders also pledged support, appealing for a listening ear on welfare issues.

Meanwhile, the arrival of the fourth Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Hilary Edeoga, was met with a thunderous ovation as the packed hall burst into sustained cheers and applause, bringing proceedings to a standstill for several minutes before order was finally restored.

Dignitaries in attendance included former Military Administrator of Kogi State Col. Paul Omeruo, former Abia State University VC Professor Mkpa Agu Nkpa, and former Abia SSG Dr. Eme Okoro, among others.

Vanguard checks revealed that with her ambitious entrepreneurial blueprint, Akanwa’s tenure opens with high expectations for MOUAU’s growth and renewal.

Her predecessor, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, formally bowed out on February 28 following the expiration of his five -year tenure.