…AS PROF B.E.B. NWOKE GOES EMPHATIC ON IDEAL UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP ETHOS
By Bright C. Okereke
The entire Kingsley Ozumba (K.O) Mbadiwe University Community and its invitees went agog on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, as the 70-year old, Professor of Public Health Parasitology and Entomology, with World-Class research and University administration experience, Prof B. E. B. Nwoke, changed the 3rd-time KOMU Public Lecture, from a mere lecture symposium to an Academic Carnival of sort.
Undoubtedly, the 2-hour lecture was Intriguing, Exploring, Interactive, Remoulding, Personality-building, Spirit-filled and positively impacting as the eloquent professor held his audience captive with varitable lecture recipe laced in humour and mastery.
The prolific academic, who is former Vice Chancellor of the Imo State University, Owerri, used a peculiar lecturing methodology of gesticulations, demonstrations and examples to keep his listeners lively and absolutely entrapped in the lecture web.
The distinguished scholar of repute, Prof. B.E.B Nwoke, who described the lecture intent as “Iron Sharpening Iron” model, admonished the University management team, led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor I. N. S. Dozie, to be magnanimous in service yet meticulous in administration while tasking the University Staff at various levels to be co-labourers in building the university to its targeted status of global standing.
The students who were thrilled and fulfilled had the Professor-lecturer entrust them with takeway quotes designed to guide their minds and as well improve their life pursuits.
He further, challenged the University lecturers to shun exploitative book sales to students and pursue research grants in order to break new grounds in the academic world which he believes, is their calling.
While harping on attitudenal change, he advised people with defective and dirty lifestyles to de-habitate selves insisting the relationship between students and lecturers are directly proportional to attitudes and behaviour.
“People must de-emphasize on ‘Areas of Concern’ and devote more strength on ‘Areas of Influence’.”, the old man Professor roared in a loud voice while jumping up from his seat as always, to drive home his point with demonstrations.
Emotions rose higher, when Prof B.E.B. Nwoke went down the memory lane to share his Mentor-Mentee experience with the Vice Chancellor, K. O. Mbadiwe University, Prof. I. N. S Dozie (Mentee) which greatly contributed to the making of today’s KOMU Shepherd.
Describing KOMU Vice Chancellor, Prof Dozie as a thorough-bred academic and administrator who cannot disappoint his destiny, he therefore likened him to a ‘Lion leader’ of great virtues.
Suprisingly, the septuagenarian Professor, unlike many of his contemporaries, expressed gratitude to God, over his forthcoming retirement from active University service; effective from June 2024, after 43 years of world-class University service.
In his final remarks, the Umuariam Obowo, High Chief, blessed the leadership of the University, the Staff, the students and entire University Community; charging them to lift up the laws of righteousness.
Also prominent at the event was the procession and recession of the University’s top academics in their colourful professional gowns to mark the start and end the lecture respectively.
Bright C. Okereke is the Media Assistant to the Vice Chancellor, KOMU.
