Chika Gladys Ene: A Success Story Of A Quintessential UNIZIK First Female PRO

By Ikenna Nwokedi

There is a popular saying and one of the most used Cliche in modern times which goes in this form, ‘It’s a woman’s World’ supported by another in the form of ‘What A Man can do, A Woman can do better’.

For the very first time in the history of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, tagged the ‘University of the Moment’ and a South East based Federal University which is always on the positive spotlight, the institution once again made history by appointing the first female Image Maker in the mould of the University’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the hardworking, vibrant and delectable, Chika Gladys Ene.

It was a successful four years and six months for her on the saddle as the PRO under the dynamic, enigmatic and visionary ‘Project 200’ Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles O. Esimone, FAS. Just like other prominent ladies in the institution such as Barr. Philomena Iwara Okoye, ‘The immediate past Registrar of UNIZIK’; Engr. Prof. Philomena Igbokwe, The current Provost (College of Post-Graduate Studies); Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, ‘The former and first female Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK just to mention but a few, Mrs Ene lived up to expectations in her role, making a big mark in image making of the institution.

Mrs Ene who comes from a humble background couldn’t have risen this ladder without passing through the crucible and rising the administrative cadres on offer and garnering the necessary experience needed to rise to that exalted position.

Mrs Ene made history as a Contiss 11 Administrative Officer in October 2019 to be the new Acting Head, Directorate of Information and Public Relations/Chief Protocol Officer taking over from her then boss and dynamic media guru/public relations expert, Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, under the leadership of Prof. Esimone, it is safe to say that Mrs Ene made a huge mark on the saddle without blemish and no doubt is fit and ripe for higher positions in the institution in the near future.

The quintessential Chikaodinaka Gladys Ijeoma Ene (nee Onwurah) was born in Awgu in Aninri L.G.A of Enugu State where both her parents worked as teachers before the creation of States. She spent her first 2 years of Secondary School in Rosary High School Awgu, did her third year in St. John of God’s Secondary School, Awka and got her Senior School Certificate from Loretto Special Science School Adazi in Anambra State. She obtained B. Eng. honours in Computer Science and Engineering from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu (ESUT).

She is a very simple and humble fellow who started her career as an Entrepreneur which is part of the training gotten from ESUT from which she joined the services of the then Nibo Micro Finance bank and served as a Credit Officer and Secretary to the Board of Directors.

In search of more fulfillment having learnt from her Late father (who retired as a School Principal/Administrator), she joined Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka through the push of her father as an Administrative Assistant/Content Editor and rose through the ranks. At Nnamdi Azikiwe University, she commenced her career in the ivory tower from the Office of the Public Relations and made her marks with part of the trainings earned while having her NYSC in Katsina State which would project her to be appointed later as the Acting Head, Information and Public Relations and Chief Protocol Officer while still a Senior Assistant Registrar on Level 11 as at October 2019.

She has been able to manage a handful of administrative bottlenecks that have emanated since then and still kept a positive image of the University. Aside her educational background, Chika is a member of some professional bodies/associations such as the Computer Professionals of Nigeria (CPN), Member Association of Nigeria University Professional Administrators (ANUPA) and Associate Member Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).