On Friday, 19th February, 2021, Dr. Onwe Emeka Ogah, Chief Medical Director of Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), an affiliate of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, accompanied by the hospital management team, was at the Vice- Chancellor’s Conference Room to pay homage to the brand new VC, Prof. Sunday Elom, who assumed office as 3rd substantive VC of the young and fast growing University on Thursday, 11th February, 2021. In the entourage of CMD were Dr. Richard Ewah, CMAC, Calistus Okonkwo, DA, Dr. Nnadozie Ugochukwu, DCMAC, Ugamah Sylvanus, DF, Pharm. A.K Auya, HOD, Pharmacy. On the side of AE-FUNAI, to receive the visitors were Prof. Dennis Akoh, DVC, Academic, Aliu Rafiu, Bursar, Mr. Ejike Igwebuike, Coordinator, University Library, Prof. Paul Ezeonu, Provost, College of Medicine, Prof. A.O Ibegbu, Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Dr. Adrian I. Ezeocha, Director, Physical Planning, Works & Services and of course the Chief Host and VC, Prof. Sunday Elom.


Professor Elom presenting Kolanut to Dr. Emeka Ogah
After the opening prayer and presentation of kolanut to the leader of AE-FUTHA team by VC, in the AE-FUNAI tradition of demonstrating hearty reception of distinguished guests, Dr. Emeka Ogah was given the floor to make presentation on behalf of AE-FUTHA management and staff. CMD started his speech by congratulating Prof. Elom on his appointment as 3rd VC of AE-FUNAI at the material time and the ‘first man of Abakaliki extraction to be appointed VC of a Federal University in the country’. He further stated that “…it pleased God to choose you just like the way He chose David from the many children of Jesse. When God has chosen his people, He never sleeps nor slumbers in protecting and leading the person, so do not be afraid, for you are a chosen one”, adding that the appointment of Prof. Elom, is a round peg in a round whole.


Dr. Ogah making presentation
Making accurate inferences to Prof. Elom’s anticedents, spanning his distinguished performance while on scholarship abroad, where he bagged 1st Class Honour, to his time at ESUT, where he rose to the rank of Erudite Professor, to other positions he has held including being a two tenure DVC, when he displayed diligence, commitment, passion, intelligence, leadership and trust and now VC, he thanked God for all He has used Prof. Elom to achieve. He urged him “Prof. be strong and courageous for the Lord will see you through”. Dr. Ogah did not forget to note that a position of this magnitude goes with a lot of expectations and responsibilities and that people will use his name for all degree of scamming adding that he should be on guard against all these factors including oppositions.

CMD also pointed out areas of focus for the new VC, including no tolerance for examination malpractice, quality control, strict evaluation of medical students to ensure that those who perform poorly are made to leave and provision of adequate accommodation for medical students. He thanked Prof. Elom for the role and effort he made to actualize the use of AE-FUTHA as the hospital for the medical students of the university, promising that they will do everything possible to achieving the dream of establishing the College of Medicine, proper. He reminded VC that the Health Centre at Ebunwana handed over to the University by the State Government, for Community Medical Posting, is yet to go into operation, due to certain bottle-necks. He also noted that furnishing the E-Library building in AE-FUTHA and extending the 2nd phase of solar power to the hospital as promised by the outgone VC, Prof. Nwajiuba, should be implemented as he (Prof. Elom) promised to continue from where his predecessor stopped. “ Sir, I have read your inaugural speech and with your pedigree, we have no doubt that you will do well to surpass what your predecessor have achieved”, he adduced, praying that the Almighty God shall give him the wisdom He gave to Solomon to lead AE-FUNAI to greater height.


VC, Professor Elom responding
Responding, Prof. Elom, thanked CMD and his team for the visit which he regarded as a mark of honour, respect and demonstration of love, especially as they found it worthwhile to pay him homage this early in his administration. He appreciated him for the well- researched presentation, assuring that the two institutions have become one, as the marriage was consummated by the MoU signed by the two bodies sometime last year and that AE-FUTHA will always be carried along in matters concerning the running of the institution, where and when necessary.

VC reiterated that his life and everything concerning him are unto God and not unto man, and so all expectations and responsibilities associated with his new position are in the hands of God, adding that as it is God who put him on the seat, any person or group that will oppose him unduly, will be opposing God who brought him and will have God to contend.


Professor Akoh giving vote of thanks
Prof. Elom affirmed that the existing high standards in the university and the culture of seriousness will be sustained, noting that the young university is currently adjudged the most serious public university in Nigeria by no less a personality than the German Ambassador to Nigeria. He stressed that there is zero tolerance for examination malpractices, cultism, indecent dressing and other vices, and that the University Quality Control Unit are very active, up and doing.


Group Photograph with Professor Elom (Center) with Dr. Ogah (6th from L) and other officers of both AE-FUNAI and AE-FUTHA
VC promised that the university management will take necessary steps to ensure that the E-Library at AE-FUTHA is equipped and that the Health Centre at Ebunwana is put to use. He also said that the 2nd phase of the Solar Power will be extended to the Teaching Hospital, as promised by his predecessor and that work on additional hostel accommodation for medical students will commence very soon. On that note Prof. Dennis Ameh Akor made vote of thanks, appreciating the management and staff of AE-FUTHA for the visit this early, stating that the visit will always remain fresh in the minds of VC and the management of the University. He assured Dr. Ogah and his team that the university management is ready and will do all it can to sustain the relationship between the two organisations that are now united as one big family. CMD, Dr. Ogah presented a portrait to the new VC, Prof. Sunday Elom.