NASU UNIZIK SENDSFORTH PROFESSOR CHARLES ESIMONE, LAUDS HIS FEATS IN OFFICE
By Abigail Mbah,Awka
The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University chapter on 25th May, 2024 appreciated the feats recorded by Prof Esimone as a visionary friendly leader and the sixth substantial Vice-Chancellor of the Unizik.
The union Chairman, Comrade Chukwugozie Ikegulu in his speech during a sendforth ceremony in his honour at the University Auditorium appreciates Prof Charles Esimone, recalling his good deeds for the union within his five years on seat as the vice chancellor.
Ikegulu said: “I cannot remember any request of ours that comes to the table of our Vice-Chancellor that does not get a favourable reply.
The doggedness and resilience of the Vice-Chancellor was not left unrecognized by Comrade Ikegulu wherein he said: “Professor Charles Esimone’s tenure started during the peril times of corona virus pandemic and prolonged strikes. Yet they did not deter him from lifting the university from the abysmal position it was to one of the ten best universities in the country.
The legacies he will leave behind will definitely speak for him, he concluded.
Anambra State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, whi doubles as the Non-Academic Staff Union, Anambra State Chairman, Sir Humphrey Emeka Nwafor likened the leadership of Prof Charles Esimone to the popular verse of the scriptures which says ‘ when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice’.
Comrade Nwafor attested to the Vice-Chancellor’s participation in every NASU’s programmes and prayed that God continues to lift him as he goes forth.
The issue of some staff’s non payment was brought to the Vice-Chancellor’s notice to which he responded saying “the Governing Council will rectify the issues of non payment soon. Arrears from January till June has been budgeted awaiting for approval.
Later in his speech, Prof Charles Esimone went further to pledge his allegiance to the union, saying “In my sleeping and waking times, I care about this union. Whether on seat or behind the scene, I will always ensure the staff are paid in due time”.
Amongst his numerous achievements, Prof Charles Esimone related happily his ability to triple the personnel budget of the university from 8billion naira to 24billion. The budget stands as the highest personnel budget in the entire nation.
Also he highlighted the importance of treating all staff equal because all works are important, even as he thanked all that came in honour of him.
Awards were given to awardees in three segments including recognition for dedication to duties and hardwork, recognition for selfless service to NASU and in recognition for exceptional leadership qualities.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion were but not limited to Grand pioneer NASU Chief Nweke, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, Immediate past university Registrar Barrister Philomena Okoye, Dean Students Affairs Prof Chinonso Achebe, Prof Nkechinyere Nwokoye, SAVC Prof Frederick Odibo, Elder Okeke, Chief Pius Okonkwo etc.
