The Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State University, Professor Michael Awoke has described the state Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru as a unique personality that deserves all support from the Izzi people to ensure his return to power come 2027.
Professor Awoke made this known when the Izzi Staff Welfare Association, EBSU chapter paid him Okeaku Homage over the weekend at his Abakaliki residence.
The Vice Chancellor praised Governor Nwifuru for distinguishing himself in the leadership of the state, especially in the education sector and for increasing the subvention of the state University from one hundred and eighty million to two hundred and eighty million naira monthly.
He thanked the Governor for the free hand given him to oversee the Affairs of the University, and the love he has shown the Ezza clan and the entire state, and maintained that the Governor is a detribalized Nigerian.
Professor Awoke said that he has appointed a member of the Izzi Staff Welfare Association, Professor Daniel Nwibo to man the soon to be established Institute for Professional Studies, and another Izzi son, Dr. Felix Edegbe to take over as Provost of the Ebonyi State College of Medicine.
Earlier in their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Izzi Welfare Association, EBSU Chapter, Dr. Arinze Nwovu, the Provost of EBSU College of Medicine, now moving to the Institute for Professional Studies, Professor Daniel Nwibo, the Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. Emma Ogbaga, the University Bursar, Mrs. Rose Nwuzor, and the HOD, Senior Staff Establishment, Mr. Peter Mgbabu stated that professor Awoke came at a time the University was facing challenges and appreciated him for rewriting the history of Ebonyi State University.
They said they came to felicitate the Vice Chancellor on the 2025 Okeaku of his clan, and called on all Izzi staff in EBSU to support the Professor Awoke-led administration to succeed.
They appreciated the VC for keeping to his promise of regular payments of the salaries of workers on or before every twenty-eighth day of the month.
It could be recalled that Okeaku is an annual cultural festival of the Ezza-Ezekuna clan that heralds the commencement of new yam harvest season.
