Willie Obiano, governor of Anambra State, promises to assist  Professor Charles Esimone, newly appointed vice chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

GOVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra State has congratulated the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, calling his appointment most deserving.

Esimone beat 37 other contestants, according to Azeez Oladotun Bello, pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of the university,  who announced that the appointment will last five years with effect from June 4.

In a statement in Awka, C. Don Adinuba, Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, stated that Governor Obiano in the congratulatory message described Esimone as “easily the best man for the job.

“Having served the university as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) and founding Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, it is difficult to think of a more prepared person for the job”.

A graduate of the University of Nigeria at Nsukka, Professor Esimone is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Academy of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.

The new vice chancellor became a full professor at only 37 years, making him one of the youngest professors ever in the Nigerian university system.

“Having displayed excellence in research and teaching, Professor Esimone is now required to display uncanny leadership as the UNIZIK Vice Chancellor”, Governor Obiano noted.

Obiano continued: “Nnamdi Azikiwe University is not just another federal higher institution, but one named for the greatest person from West Africa in over two centuries, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, GCFR, PC, the man who led to Nigeria to independence and inspired a generation of great African nationalists like Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana.

“Therefore, Professor Esimone should always be conscious of the special place of this higher institution in Nigerian–nay African—cosmology.

“UNIZIK has to do more than ever to produce graduates and researchers who can help drive Africa’s competitiveness in the age of globalization.

“This will be much in line with the vision of the Great Zik of Africa who spent all his life devoted to the emancipation of all Africans and Black people throughout the world, so that we can take our rightful position in the comity of nations.