By Judith Oraeki-Anigbogu
An atmosphere of thanksgiving and celebration filled St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area(LGA), July 19, as the Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Prof. Kate Omenugha, offered thanks to God for her appointment while celebrating the 70th birthday of her husband, Dr. Michael Omenugha, alongside family, friends and well wishers.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who attended the Thanksgiving Mass, described Prof. Omenugha’s appointment as Vice Chancellor as a significant milestone for the university, noting that her emergence followed a rigorous, merit based selection process anchored on competence, integrity and proven administrative capacity.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to excellence in governance, stressing that merit should remain the guiding principle for leadership appointments, commending Prof. Omenugha for her distinguished public service, outstanding professional achievements and dedication to educational development.
Governor Soludo drew attention to the state’s environmental challenges, describing flooding and gully erosion as serious threats that require collective action, urging communities, institutions and residents to work with the government to protect the environment and preserve the state’s natural resources.
Earlier in his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye, emphasised the virtues of faith, patience, dedicated service and moral responsibility, commending Governor Soludo’s reform initiatives, encouraging public office holders to remain committed to ethical leadership and selfless service.
The bishop congratulated Dr. Michael Omenugha on attaining the age of 70, describing the milestone as a blessing, expressing confidence that Prof. Omenugha would leverage her wealth of administrative experience to lead Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University to greater heights of academic excellence, innovation and institutional development.
The thanksgiving celebration attracted government officials, academics, traditional rulers, religious leaders, family members, friends and well wishers, who joined in prayers and thanksgiving while expressing confidence in Prof. Omenugha’s capacity to provide purposeful leadership at the university.
In her remarks, Prof. Omenugha expressed gratitude to God for His grace and faithfulness, thanking Governor Soludo for the confidence reposed in her, appreciating everyone whose prayers, encouragement and presence made the thanksgiving service and family celebration memorable.
Judith Oraeki-Anigbogu is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
