By Ikenna Nwokedi
History was made on Tuesday, 20th February 2024 as UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone in company of the Chief of Staff to Anambra State Government, Chief Ernest Ezeajughi commissioned equipment procured during the Alumni Converge and Reunion of the Department of Microbiology and Brewing held last November.
The event which took place at the Microbiology Laboratory domiciled at the Science Village, UNIZIK witnessed the convergence of teaching and non-teaching staff of the Department as well as the Faculty of Biosciences.
In his address during the official commissioning of the equipment, UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Esimone commended the immediate past Head of the Department, Prof. Umeh and her team for the vision behind the converge which led to the procurement of the laboratory equipment. Prof. Esimone stated that the converge was in line with one of the pillars of his ‘Project 200’ vision as top Universities in the globe achieve great milestones through the help and immense support of their alumni.
Prof. Esimone while eulogizing the current Head of the Department, Dr. Vivian Anakwenze for keying into the legacies of her predecessor described microbiology as the mother of all life sciences and a very diverse field of endeavour which can undergo unbundling to further enhance and showcase different aspects of the discipline. He called on the teaching staff and technologists to ensure that the equipment are judiciously utilized by both undergraduate and postgraduate students in enhancing their academic competences and capabilities.
Esimone also appreciated the Vice-President of BIOSSA, Ms. Emmanuella Abatu for the donation of sound systems to Microbiology Department and other Departments domiciled in the Faculty.
In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and the Chief of Staff to Gov. Soludo’s Administration, Mr. Ezeajughi acknowledged the role of alumni towards educational growth stressing that the Government cannot do it all in terms of funding of education as it requires concerted efforts of all and sundry in the business of education.
Ezeajughi informed that the present Government under Gov. Soludo is putting in place machineries to empower Ndi Anambra through infrastructural development especially in the health sector as academic products of the institution upon their graduation from the ivory tower are expected to contribute their quota towards the growth and development of the state while offering their professional services to government owned establishments.
He highlighted some of the achievements of the present administration including an ongoing establishment of five General Hospitals and remodelling of the existing ones which will aid human capital development in the state.
The former Mayor of London commended the teaching staff of the Department for their tutelage and dedication towards the growth of the Department and contributions to the education sector.
In her address, the Head, Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Dr. Anakwenze commended the Vice-Chancellor for his visionary leadership which has propelled UNIZIK to new heights with his continuous support and commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and research.
The scholar also eulogized the Chief of Staff for being a worthy alumni with his significant contributions while also acknowledging her predecessor, Prof. Sophina Umeh, for her dedication and commitment which was pivotal in facilitating the acquisition and implementation of the cutting-edge laboratory equipment. She also thanked Dr. Chito Ekwealor, the Alumni Converge Chairperson who doubles as the Faculty’s Sub-Dean for her transformative leadership which was instrumental for orchestrating the converge which led to the acquisition of the state-of-the-art resources.
She described the commissioning as a testimony of the impact of collaboration between academia and alumni while also affirming that the instruments are not merely pieces of hardware but they represent the embodiment of their commitment in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and providing the students with an unparalleled learning experience.
On his part, the Dean, Faculty of Biosciences, Prof. Anayo Igwilo thanked Prof. Esimone for his wonderful and fatherly role to the Faculty and by extension to the University, he acknowledged that Biosciences as a Faculty has benefited immensely from the present administration in the areas of appointment and infrastructural development.
Re-echoing the views of the Dean through his Note of Appreciation, Prof. Chris Anyamene described the occasion as a home coming for the Vice-Chancellor, the scholar thanked Prof. Esimone for all his support to the Department while also craving for his indulgence and more support as they prepare for accreditation exercise towards the end of the year.
Highpoints of the occasion was equipment commissioning at the Microbiology Laboratory, tour of the laboratory by dignitaries, test running of the procured equipment and description of the roles and functionalities of the equipment by the Head of the Department.
