- Prof Omenugha appealed to the public, particularly influential and well-to-do individuals in Anambra State, to support the university’s development
No fewer that ten students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) in Anambra State have lost their lives in fatal road mishaps.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha, who disclosed this, said the deaths were recorded within the past ten months.
Prof Omenugha made this troubling disclosure during the third Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu memorial lecture series held at the university’s ETF Auditorium.
The vice chancellor cited the lack of residential hostels and school buses which forced students to commute through neighbouring communities using tricycles and motorcycles for the tragic incidents.
“I feel terrified as a mother about this incident. Since I assumed office ten months ago, about twelve students have lost their lives through tricycle and motorcycle accidents along inter-community roads linking to the university.”
Prof Omenugha appealed to the public, particularly influential and well-to-do individuals in Anambra State, to support the university’s development.
“We need hostels to cut the rising spate of avoidable accidents. We need staff quarters for staff. There are many areas for partnership,” she emphasized.
While acknowledging Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s efforts through the Private Public Community Partnership (PPCP) initiative, Omenugha stressed that the state government cannot tackle the challenges alone.
The event featured Chief Osita Chidoka as guest lecturer, with the title “Harnessing Education for National Development: Lessons from the Life and Vision of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.”
Dignitaries in attendance included Deputy Governor of Anambra State,Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Mr Labara Maku, and Prof Ngozi Chima-Udeh, among others.