Cornucopia: Comrade Stephen Uchenna Ufoaroh, bowing out in glory

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD

Comrade Dr Uju Ezenekwe was the winner of ASUU NAU Chairperson election? Yes! She won. Her department, Economics Department and faculty, Social Sciences faculty won. She was grateful to the end and even when she pulled 141 votes she came strong to jubilate with the winner, Comrade Prof Ubaoji. Everyone watched and wished her well.

Others left unannounced. I didn’t see Comrade Dr Peter Okoye who is supposed to stay as old executive, and I didn’t see Comrade Prof Okenwa Cy Ogbodo- the preferred candidate. They didn’t congratulate the winner and others. Someone asked if it was by force. And I said, they lacked the spirit of sportsmanship ASUU is championing and promoting hence they removed all forms of campaign in their elections. It shows maturity, good Comraderieship and tolerance to others decisions. I have failed elections and supported the winner to defend his mandate. I have also won elections.

Let me tell you about a man who is tough, but gentle. He is streetwise but cultured. A solo performer and a strategist but democratic and friendly when he choose to. He is a humanitarian and a Philanthropist but with wisdom and realistic mindset.

Again, he is honest, simple, trustworthy though sometimes silent for peace to reign or to save a situation. He is hardworking and resilient but had enough grace too.

The man who is bowing out strong is Comrade Stephen Uchenna Ufoaroh, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Academic Staff Union of Universities, NAU, ASUU Chairman.

He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering in Unizik. His MSc was in Communications Engineering while his doctorate was in Control Engineering.

At COREN, he is registered and at IEEE, he is a professional member as well as members of RAESON and IAENG. He is an Associate members of AMNIBE. All these are Engineering professional bodies. You can Google search Ufoaroh and marvel at his research interests especially Artificial intelligence and Bio-Medicals. Let me not go into his over 40 peer reviewed research journals and grants from TETFUND but let me inform you that he supervised the research team that developed an online platform for the coordination of Student Union Government elections as being used in Unizik.

Even while very busy with ASUU, DELL Technologies USA reviewed over 230 project abstracts received from over 100 universities representing 19 countries and considered his research output on COVID-19 safety protocol adherence system as top 25 best research output based on blind evaluation.

Wherever he is in community or institutional service, he is not found wanting hence he has served EFAC as National Director, in Higher Institutions in Nigeria for 9 years, Chairman Ifitedunu Town Union Education committee, member Cabinet of Eze Dunu as Special Adviser on Tertiary Education Maters to mention but a few. His awards are legion but the most outstanding is the Rotary International Community Service Award of Excellence bestowed on him on 8th July,2023 by the 22nd President of Rotary Club of Awka, GRA, District 9142, Rotarian Engr. Ugochukwu Benitez Ibeanu (2023-2024) at Milatel Hotel and Suites, Awka. He received the award alongside eminent personalities including the Anambra State Head of Service, (HoS), Barr. Theodora Okwy Igwegbe, mni who received Rotary International Professional Service Award of Excellence. She is a consultant to the Brirish council, a Papal medalist for her contributions to service to humanity in the Roman Catholic Church.

Back to Comrade Ufoaroh, who is currently the Deputy Director, Center for Solar and Alternative Energy Research, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka is married to a quintessential lady, Dr Chinyelu Uchenna Ufoaroh, a Consultant Pulmonologist/Chest Physician. They are blessed with 3 handsome boys and a pretty girl.

Hear Comrade Ufoaroh after receiving the Rotary International honour: “Rotary International is known for services to humanity worldwide. So, I feel happy that the little work I am doing, people have seen it and appreciate me for that. This recognition will motivate me to do more through rendering service with the best of my ability. I am encouraged and challenged to do more.

“Humanitarian service is an agent of peace. If we can think of the less privileged and the unemployed, then we will be able to have peace.

“As Chairman of ASUU in Unizik, we are giving scholarship to indigent students because we don’t want school dropouts in the society.

“We should continue to preach the message of unity, peace, equality and taking care of the less privileged and I will support Rotary Club International in this mission and vision through helping those that cannot help themselves”.

President, Rotary Club of Awka GRA, Rtn Ugo Benitez Ibeanu told reporters that Comrade Stephen Uchenna Ufoaroh was chosen because of his selfless service to humanity.

Comrade Ufoaroh had earlier presented his end of tenure account. That’s his stewardship in the last two years for his second term in office as ASUU NAU branch Chairperson.

But for the whopping Branch Expenses, Table 7, page 18, item, number 10, labelled Miscellaneous in the end of his tenure report with a staggering sum of over 76 million naira, now attracting query for explanations from highly placed ASUU members, I would have said the union went home unblemished. This has not cast aspersions on them as they already promised to explain shortly via congress as the expenses were lumped for convenience sake, but this column won’t wait for them to so do.

Let me not mention the names of Professors and other senior colleagues requesting for explanation in the interest of the Union as I didn’t inform them I shall make our discussion public. For me, I wanted to ask immediately in the hall but as a new entrant I was cajoled to remain silent by my seat mate when I said it out.

The amount on miscellaneous was seventy six million, seven hundred and twenty two thousand, sixty five naira, fifteen kobo. What’s your take? And, because it’s miscellaneous, all my sensory nerves woke up. Though, I now understood this miscellaneous. It’s like unplanned hosting of ASUU officials from other zones and even within the zone. Their feeding, hotel etc. I shall await their official explanation and still report it.
The query is going to all members of ASUU NAU 2021-2023 including the Vice-Chairperson , Comrade Arinze Agbanusi; the Secretary Comrade Peter Okoye; the Assistant Secretary, Comrade Joseph Onyejiaka; Financial Secretary, Comrade Amaka Metu; Treasurer, Comrade Uju Ezenekwe; Welfare Officer, Comrade Vivian Nwogbo; Investment Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Asiegbu; Internal Auditor, Comrade Sam Ogenyi; Immediate Past Chairperson, Comrade Dennis Aribodor. They are all in it if there is any infraction. Let me spare the 16 member Faculty representatives and 19 conveners of ASUU NAU committees for today.

Let me recast Comrade Ufoaroh’s achievements as ASUU Chairperson NAU branch for 2 years 2021 to 2023. See it below:

ASUU Chairperson NAU present end of term report 2023

He was Chairperson also 2019-2021. See the feats recorded too:

Comrade Stephen Uchenna Ufoaroh, Chairperson ASUU NAU end of term report 2021 Introduction report

ASUU NAU came out emmass and voted Comrade Kingsley Ubaoji of the Department of Applied Biochemistry as the new Chairperson of ASUU NAU Branch.

Comrade Prof. Ubaoji polled a total of 616 votes to emerge victorious. He won position against Comrade Prof. Okenwa Cy Ogbodo who got a total of 227 votes, Comrade Dr. Uju Ezenekwe with 141 votes and Comrade Dr. Peter Okoye with 84 votes.

ASUU NAU Vice-Chairman went to
Comrade Dr. Harrison Etaga who polled a total of 570 votes to defeat Comrade Dr. Darlington Onyejike who got 438 votes. But, it’s like Vice-Chairman post should be reserved for Nnewi members of ASUU officially. This last election pained them, particularly the contestant.

ASUU NAU Secretary went to Comrade Dr. Joseph Senator Onyejiaka unopposed as well as Assistant General Secretary position which went to Comrade Dr. Osita Nnajiofor unopposed too. Comrade Dr. Theophilus Okegbe, Comrade Dr. Amaka Metu aka ATM now miscellaneous, Comrade Dr. Innocent Nnubia and Comrade Dr. Gideon Ezu as well emerged unopposed for the positions of Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Internal Auditor and Investment Secretary respectively.

The Welfare Officer position was won by Comrade Engr. Dr. Chinenye Okey-Onyesolu, wife to Solution, with a total of 566 votes to defeat Comrade Dr. Tonia Chigbo-Obasi who polled 458 votes.

Prof Kingsley Ubaoji has contested variously for some positions he would have ordinarily won, but many who are afraid of his principles, ideologies and forthrightness will always betray his ambition by fronting others to contest same positions with him. I know he is under trial now. It’s indeed a test for his humility, honesty and forthrightness in helping to promote UNIZIK’S “Project 200” dreams.

He says, Jesus is the truth, so in all engagements and discussions, he will help all comrades to understand the truth. According to him, truth is not partial, truth is not biased, and truth does not tell lies nor pretend, truth is firm and considers the 4 way test of the Rotarians.

If the Vice-Chancellor Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone FAS was against Ubaoji, would he had appointed him, “Director, Biotechnology Research Centre ” before the ASUU elections?

Let me visit Prof Emma Okoye, Director, UNIZIK Business School to request for an explanation on why his Deputy Director, Prof Chinedu Onyeizugbe didn’t invite me to celebrate with him, even when I am an Assistant to them on Media and Publicity. I have drank a bottle of Tigernuts during ASUU election but not enough.

Cornucopia is a weekly column of Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD.
Odogwu is a known Journalist, Editor, Media Consultant, Social Analyst, Teacher, Motivator, Unionist, Community leader, social analyst and Famous Blogger, as well as Social Media Entrepreneur, Publisher and Conversationalist @ www.odogwublog.com among others.
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