By Izunna Okafor, Awka
In yet another strategic move to bolster leadership in tertiary institutions, another former Education Commissioner has become a substantive Vice Chancellor of a university in Nigeria, given the confirmation of Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha as the 5th substantive Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
Prof. Omenugha’s confirmation —which was officially announced in a press statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday, August 6, by the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime — is coming barely two days after Simon Ortuanya, a former Commissioner of Education in Enugu State, was also appointed as the 16th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
According to the statement by Soludo’s Press Secretary, the appointment letter was presented to Prof. Omenugha by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, during a brief but symbolic ceremony held at the New Government House (Light House), Awka.
Aburime, in the statement, emphasized that the appointment followed a rigorous and merit-driven selection process. He reaffirmed Governor Soludo’s administration’s commitment to educational excellence and the appointment of competent individuals into key positions within the state’s academic institutions. He said the Governor has great confidence that Omenugha’s antecedents and progressive vision would further drive COOU toward global recognition and academic distinction.
The statement further described Professor Omenugha as a seasoned academic, administrator, and policy expert, whose experience in the education sector spans decades and diverse capacities. Her appointment, the statement noted, is not just a personal achievement, but a significant milestone in the ongoing reform agenda of the Soludo Administration in the education sector.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that Professor Omenugha began her career in education as a secondary school teacher at Queen of Rosary College, Onitsha in 1988, before moving to Girls’ Secondary School, Awka-Etiti, where she served for ten years and rose to the position of Vice Principal. She transitioned into the university system in 1998 as a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Between 2006 and 2012, she served as Head of the Mass Communication Department and Director of the university’s radio station, UNIZIK 94.1 FM. Her influence and leadership extended beyond the classroom as she was later elected Vice President (South East) of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).
In 2014, Professor Omenugha was appointed Commissioner for Education in Anambra State under the then administration of Governor Willie Obiano, and was later redeployed as Commissioner for Basic Education in 2018, a position she held until 2022. During her tenure, the state recorded numerous national and international accolades in education, with students and teachers winning several laurels under her supervision.
In late 2023, Governor Soludo appointed her as Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, a position she held in acting capacity, till her confirmation as the 5th substantive Vice Chancellor by the Governor.
The current elevation has been popularly lauded as as being indicative of Prof. Omenugha’s dedication, depth of experience, and service-driven approach to education development in Anambra State and beyond.
