By Ikenna Nwokedi
History was made on Tuesday, 26th August, 2025 as the Chisco Institute of Logistics and Supply Chain Management (CILSCM), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka held a tripartite event comprising of inauguration of board members, commissioning of solar powered project and commencement of training for University Drivers.
In his address, the Chairman of the occasion and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Engr. Prof. Ugochukwu Okonkwo stated that the institute is moving in the right direction in its vision of empowering members of the University with the requisite skills so as to add value to the system and the society at large. The Dean disclosed that the Faculty has a symbiotic relationship in place with the institute geared towards promoting the growth of Engineering and technology.
Declaring the event open, UNIZIK acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi commended Chief Chidi Anyaegbu for his vision and drive in enhancing the visibility of the institute and the University at large.
Prof. Arinze-Umobi commended the management of the institute for being at the centre of promoting experiential learning, the institution’s Chief Executive also informed that University drivers who would be partakers of the training will get certifications that will enhance their career progression from Grade level 11 to 13.
In his address, the Director of CILSCM, Dr. Tochukwu Onyeyili stated that the establishment of the institute marks a significant milestone not just for the University but for the logistics and supply chain management sector in Nigeria while affirming that the institute serves as a hub of innovation, capacity building and professional excellence in logistics and supply chain management.
Dr. Onyeyili disclosed that the institute is now fully accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) recognized under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and certified as a Skills Training Centre (STC) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.
The CILSCM Director also disclosed that the institute offers a postgraduate program in Logistics and Supply Chain Management designed to blend theories with practice aimed at equipping graduates with advanced analytical skills, research capacity and practical experience needed to drive efficiency and innovation in the global supply chain landscape.
In his remarks, the Endower of the institute, Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, MD/CEO Chisco Group of Companies, noted that setting up of the institute has been his dream and aspiration in a bid to add value to the transport sector and supply chain management. Chief Anyaegbu informed that the challenges witnessed by stakeholders in the sector can be solved through training and acquiring the requisite knowledge which is the primary aim of establishing the institute.
Also speaking, the FRSC Sector Commander in the State, Corps Commander Joyce Nnennaya Alexander stated that there is a synergy between the command and the institution which gave the command the mandate to train the University drivers. The Sector Commander who was represented by the Head, Technical Service Department, Corps Commander Christy Okonkwo assured that there will be a significant difference in the driving methods of the University drivers in the aftermath of the training.
On her part, the Director of Operations at the African Resource Centre of Excellence (ARC-ESM) in Supply Chain Management, Terdoo Akinyemi who represented the ARC-ESM CEO, Azuka Okeke averred that the partnership between the centre and the Chisco Institute is a shared commitment to strengthen capacity, foster innovations and deliver practical solutions to the complex supply chain challenges facing the country and the African continent.
The colourful ceremony featured the inauguration of the 16-member CILSCM board to be chaired by UNIZIK Ag. VC with other members composed of Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, Mr. Obinna Anyaegbu, Prof. E. O. Obidinma, Prof. P. K. Igbokwe, Dr. Tochi Onyeyili, Azuka Okeke, Mr. Uche Ochuba, Sir Moses Chukwuka, Pharm Mrs Nkiru Ukoh, Prof. Ugochukwu Okonkwo, Prof. Sunday Nduka, Engr. Chukwudi Egemba, Engr. Ifeanyi Okoma, Dr. Agubata Felicia Nnenna and the FRSC Sector Commander.
The event also featured award of excellence to Chief Anyaegbu and Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, there was facility tour of the institute, commissioning of the solar project, medical test for trainees and band performance by the UNIZIK Music Department.
