Champion reports that Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) has announced the appointment of Professor Chigozie Cyril Asiabaka as the new Vice Chancellor (VC). He takes over from Professor Celestine Onwuliri whose tenure will expire in June.
A statement from the university signed by the Registrar Mr. C.O. Omeire said Professor Asiabaka was appointed the 6th substantive Vice-Chancellor of FUTO by Engineer Vita Abbe-led Governing Council at the council’s 133 meeting held on Thursday 19th May 2011.
According to the statement, the council in accordance with the powers conferred on it by the provisions of the University (Miscellaneous Provision) Amendment Act 2003 considered the three candidates recommended to it by the selection board and appointed Professor Asiabaka.
“By this appointment, Professor Asiabaka, the current Dean of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology will assume office as Vice-Chancellor when the tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor C.O.Onwuliri, expires on June 18, 2011”, the statement said.
Asiabaka has held several administrative positions in the University including Chairman Committee of Deans, member 8th Governing Council of FUTO, Director Center for Continuing Education and Head Department of Agricultural Extension before occupying his current position as Dean of School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology. He is international consultant on Agricultural Extension and has over 133 scholarly publications.
As expected, his appointment as substantive Vice-Chancellor of the institution has sparked off jubilation in FUTO community as well as his home town Ideato which also produced the incoming governor of the state Chief Rochas Okorocha.