Ooni of Ife Commends UNN Vice Chancellor, Prof Simon Ortuanya 's Development Strides Within 11 Months Of Appointment
Chancellor of the University of Nigeria and Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has commended the institution's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, over his development strides in the institution, describing him as the most development-oriented Vice-Chancellor.
Chancellor of the University of Nigeria and Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has commended the institution's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, over his development strides in the institution, describing him as the most development-oriented Vice-Chancellor.
The Ooni said he had been Chancellor of the university in the past 11 years but had never seen the type of zeal to develop the university like what was happening within the last 11 months of Prof Ortuanya leadership of Nigeria's first indigenous university.
According to the Ooni, Professor Ortuanya’s commitment to transform the university was driven by his deep connection to the institution as an indigenous son of Nsukka, the host community, noting that the Vice-Chancellor had demonstrated intentional leadership in repositioning the university for greater relevance and global competitiveness.
"I have been Chancellor of this university for 11 years now but I have not seen this type of deliberate reforms aimed at improving infrastructure, strengthening academic programmes, embracing digital transformation, enhancing research and innovation, improving campus security and restoring the institution’s pride.
"I have been Chancellor of this university for 11 years now but I have not seen this type of deliberate reforms aimed at improving infrastructure, strengthening academic programmes, embracing digital transformation, enhancing research and innovation, improving campus security and restoring the institution’s pride.
"When I came for this Convocation ceremony, I couldn't recognize this place again. A lot of construction or reconstruction works are going on..." he further said.
He spoke during the 55th Convocation ceremony for the conferment of postgraduate diplomas, higher degrees, the title of Professor Emeritus and honorary degrees at the Margaret Ekpo Convocation Arena, in the institution, noting that he had observed remarkable progress under Ortuanya's administration.
He spoke during the 55th Convocation ceremony for the conferment of postgraduate diplomas, higher degrees, the title of Professor Emeritus and honorary degrees at the Margaret Ekpo Convocation Arena, in the institution, noting that he had observed remarkable progress under Ortuanya's administration.
The monarch further praised the Governing Council, led by Pro-Chancellor Prof. Adegboyega Adegboye Karim, and the University management under Professor Ortuanya for undertaking numerous development projects aimed at repositioning the university, stressing that, the ongoing transformation reflects purposeful leadership deserving of the support of all stakeholders, including alumni and friends of the premier university.
He also paid tribute to the vision of the founding father of the UNN, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as Nigeria’s first fully indigenous university, pointing out, that the institution had remained faithful to its mandate of producing graduates with intellectual excellence, character and courage to transform society.
He further noted that over the decades, the university had produced governors, ministers, judges, captains of industry, academics, medical practitioners, engineers, entrepreneurs, diplomats and other professionals making significant contributions within and outside the country, even as he also, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its continued support for public universities. This was just as he also, acknowledged the contributions of alumni and friends of the institution toward its ongoing development.
Addressing the graduating students, the Ooni urged them to uphold the University’s values of discipline, excellence, integrity and hard work, noting further that their certificates represented not only academic achievement but also a responsibility to make meaningful contributions to society.
He urged the new graduates to embrace lifelong learning and innovation in response to emerging global realities such as artificial intelligence, digital technologies, climate change and evolving labour markets, by deploying
their knowledge in creating opportunities, advancing science, improving healthcare, strengthening democratic institutions and promoting sustainable development.
The monarch furthermore, expressed optimism about the future of the university, adding that the Vice Chancellor possessed the intellectual capacity, heritage and leadership needed to make the institution remain as one of Africa’s foremost universities, even as he asked the graduates and alumni to support the institution’s drive for academic excellence, impactful research, innovation, service to humanity and entrepreneurship.
He further noted that over the decades, the university had produced governors, ministers, judges, captains of industry, academics, medical practitioners, engineers, entrepreneurs, diplomats and other professionals making significant contributions within and outside the country, even as he also, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its continued support for public universities. This was just as he also, acknowledged the contributions of alumni and friends of the institution toward its ongoing development.
Addressing the graduating students, the Ooni urged them to uphold the University’s values of discipline, excellence, integrity and hard work, noting further that their certificates represented not only academic achievement but also a responsibility to make meaningful contributions to society.
He urged the new graduates to embrace lifelong learning and innovation in response to emerging global realities such as artificial intelligence, digital technologies, climate change and evolving labour markets, by deploying
their knowledge in creating opportunities, advancing science, improving healthcare, strengthening democratic institutions and promoting sustainable development.
The monarch furthermore, expressed optimism about the future of the university, adding that the Vice Chancellor possessed the intellectual capacity, heritage and leadership needed to make the institution remain as one of Africa’s foremost universities, even as he asked the graduates and alumni to support the institution’s drive for academic excellence, impactful research, innovation, service to humanity and entrepreneurship.
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