By Mercy Hill and Zita Chidera Ezeno

Rev Fr Prof Emmanuel C. Umezinwa has been appointed the pioneer Acting Vice Chancellor of Peter University, Achina-Onneh, by the proprietors of the institution. Peter University, approved by the Federal Government recently, is jointly owned by the Catholic Dioceses of Awka and Ekwulobia.

The appointment letter was handed to him by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus C. Ezeokafor, last Wednesday, 10 August 2022, at the Bishop’s office at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka.

The Bishop described the position of the Vice Chancellor as crucial for the administration of the university, hence, the need for the immediate appointment. He noted that the choice of Rev. Fr. Prof. Umezinwa to act in such a position was as a result of his immense contributions towards the progress of what Bishop Ezeokafor described as the blossoming institution, his exposure, his capacity and his precedents.

The Bishop said that regardless of the challenges associated with a new appointment, he was confident that Prof Umezinwa would display his usual excellence, even as he wished him well in his tenure.

Bishop Ezeokafor disclosed that plans were being put in place to appoint members of the Governing Council and other key administrators, such as the Bursar and the Registrar.

Rev Fr Prof Emmanuel C. Umezinwa, who is a Professor of Ethnomusicology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and 25 years a Catholic priest, is a native of Akpo in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State. He steered the Planning and Implementation Committee which led to the licensing of Peter University.

He appreciated the Bishop for the level of confidence reposed in him and asked for the grace of God to dutifully discharge his responsibilities, just as he said he expected some challenges such as scarcity of funds due to the impoverished economic condition of the country.

The Acting VC added that Peter University had come to stay by God’s grace while holding on to the fulfillment of God’s promises made in the Parable of the Mustard Seed. He solicited for the goodwill of all towards the university, as it plays its role in human capacity development.

Edit