The Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Prof. Kate Omenugha, has urged people in the South-East to embrace university endowments as a sustainable means of improving tertiary education, particularly in state-owned institutions.
Omenugha made the appeal on Thursday during a mid-term media briefing at the university’s Igbariam campus, where she said funding higher education had become too capital-intensive for governments alone.
She noted that many developed countries rely on endowments from individuals, corporate organisations and communities to finance infrastructure and academic development, adding that the culture was yet to gain widespread acceptance in the South-East.
According to her, endowments not only support educational development but also provide an opportunity to immortalise individuals through projects executed in their names.
The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the support the university has received from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Anambra State Government but said additional investment from the private sector and philanthropists remained necessary to meet the institution’s growing infrastructure needs.
She said the university, which occupies 712 hectares of land, had completed numerous abandoned projects while also initiating new ones under the current administration.
“TETFund is trying its best, and the Anambra State Government has also supported us. The government has constructed 4.2 kilometres of roads within the university and provided substantial funding, but public investment alone cannot meet the growing demands of higher education,” she said.
Omenugha disclosed that COOU recorded more than 8,000 first-choice applicants in the current admission cycle through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), describing the development as evidence of the institution’s growing reputation.
She, however, said the increasing student population had placed greater pressure on available facilities and appealed to wealthy individuals and organisations to support ongoing infrastructure development.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university’s “Friends of the University” initiative had already attracted support from prominent Anambra indigenes, resulting in the sponsorship of several projects across its campuses.
She listed some of the ongoing projects as a multipurpose building for medical laboratory facilities and classrooms, a proposed Theatre Arts Department building, a university bakery, a central kitchen and a souvenir centre aimed at promoting locally produced items within the institution.
According to her, the administration has adopted a results-driven approach to governance, enabling it to record measurable progress across the university.
Earlier, journalists were taken on a tour of facilities by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Harrison Madubueze, who said the visit was intended to give the media first-hand knowledge of ongoing infrastructure development amid recent criticisms of the university’s management.
Responding to allegations that a former lecturer, Prof. Chike Osegbue, was dismissed because he contested the vice-chancellorship, Omenugha denied the claims, insisting that due process was followed.
She said Osegbue’s dismissal was based on allegations of dereliction of duty rather than personal or political considerations.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the lecturer was issued queries after allegedly failing to discharge his teaching responsibilities and was subsequently invited to appear before an investigative panel but failed to do so.
She further alleged that he responded to official queries with insulting remarks directed at the Vice-Chancellor’s office and the Anambra State Governor.
Omenugha said the panel submitted its findings to the university’s Governing Council, which approved his dismissal after following the institution’s disciplinary procedures. She added that the council also granted him an opportunity to appeal the decision.
Rejecting claims that the dismissal was linked to the vice-chancellorship contest, she noted that other candidates who participated in the selection process continue to serve in key positions within the university.
The Vice-Chancellor said her administration remained focused on improving the institution’s academic standards, infrastructure and governance despite criticism from some quarters.
She also defended the university’s disciplinary measures, saying they were aimed at strengthening institutional integrity and ensuring a safe learning environment.
According to her, disciplinary actions against staff accused of misconduct followed established procedures and were not motivated by personal grievances.
Omenugha added that the administration would continue pursuing reforms aimed at making the university more competitive while encouraging greater support from alumni, philanthropists and the private sector to sustain its development agenda.
