By Steve Oko

The Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, has tasked Leaders in the country not to abandon laudable uncompleted projects inherited from their predecessors.

Professor Iwe who spoke at the public presentation of a Skills Acquisition Centre and a Hummer bus by the university women, said that leaving noble uncompleted projects to initiate new ones was not a mark of good leadership.

He expressed concern over the spate of abandoned projects in the country and called for a change of attitude.

” Any good successive leadership will normally ensure the completion of projects it meets on arrival because it is to accomplish strategic plans of such organization”.

The VC commended the university women for the legacy project, saying that the centre will complement the efforts of Government and the university to empower its undergraduates through skills acquisition.

” This centre will operate in synergy with our Entrepreneurial Centre and other centres that are coming up for skills acquisition”, he said.

He advised the women to remain united and focused in their vision to accomplish their purpose.

” Do not toy with your unity; this university needs your unity to advance”, the VC added.

Professor Iwe who said he came on board to “recover the lost days of MOUAU”, promised to carry everyone along while soliciting the support of all.

Earlier in her address, the President of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Women Association (MOUAUWA) Dr Mrs Nkechinyere Iwe, said that Skills Acquisition Centre was established to add value to women and all those willing to acquire additional skills for self-reliance.

She said that the centre equipped with different kinds of modern sewing machines for both male and female wears, was poised to help train as many students and staff of the university as well as others to cope in the face of the economic realities in the country.

Dr. Mrs. Iwe commended her predecessor, Dr Bertha Otunta for initiating the laudable project explaining that she decided to complete it because of its significance to women’s empowerment.

She also commended all those who supported the university women in procuring the equipment and a Hummer bus for the association’s transport convenience.

The VC’s wife reiterated MOUAUWA’s commitment to empowering women for self-reliance and for a better society.

In a remark, Mrs Otunta, the wife of the immediate-past VC, the late Professor Francis Otunta, commended her successor for building on her foundation and fully realising the vision.

Mrs Otunta said she was fulfilled to see the dream come through and urged women to take advantage of the centre to get additional vocations.