OKWUTE SMASHED GOV OBI'S RECORD AND SET A NEW ONE

* Changes name to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University (COOU)
*Presents N5b Cheque for continued infrastructural Development
*Presents 4 new security vehicles to the School and 2 buses to SUG of both campuses

As part of Gov. Peter Obi's final push towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, which saw him doling out Billions of Naira for diverse projects in the State, the Governor today announced the change of name of Anambra State University to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University, during the Posthumous anniversary celebration of the 80th birthday of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu at the permanent site of the University at Igbariam.

Gov. Obi who recalled the change of the name of the most critical road in the State- Head Bridge- to Odumegwu-Ojukwu Boulevard, said the decision for change of name of the university was informed by the heroic contributions of Ojukwu to the Igbo people. Insisting that no honour is too much for him, the Gov. thanked the Federal Government for the honour accorded Ojukwu when he died and called for naming of more institutions after him.

The occasion which witnessed an unprecedented crowd, which only Ojukwu, dead or alive, would pull, also witnessed the presentation of the Cheque of N5 Billion Naira to the Management of the school for continued infrastructural development of the University as well as the paying back of about 500 Million Naira borrowed from the bank by the school. "We have done a lot of work in the University's both campuses. We started this Permanent Site of the University from the scratch. We did the perimeter fencing, Gate's building. “We built the imposing Faculty of Agriculture building; the Senate Building, the on-going Faculty of Management building; the Faculties of Law, Social Sciences and Mass Communications all at Igbariam Campus. We also built the Library and renovated the class rooms. We completed the road to Uli campus and we are presently doing the one to this campus. Through our intervention, the Central Bank is Building 1.5 Billion Naira Hostel here, among others”, the Governor said.

Speaking further, the Governor who presented four security fitted patrol vehicles to the University and two new buses to the Students' Union in both campuses – Uli and Igbariam- announced the increase in the monthly subvention of the University by 15% starting from January.

In his own remarks, the National Chairman of APGA, Sir Victor Umeh said the renaming of the University and the provision of tools to make it a centre of excellence befitting Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu's name, was a right decision. “This gesture has added to the immortality of Ojukwu”, he said.

Also speaking at the event, Ojukwu's wife and the Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, HE, Bianca Ojukwu thanked Gov. Obi for the gesture. She said it was the continuation of the love the Governor showed to her husband even when he was still alive. She called on the people of the State to vote for Dr. Willie Obiano, for having the same temperament as the Governor for great and lofty leadership.

In his Vote of Thanks, the Son of Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, Emeka, thanked Nigerians, Anambra people and Gov. Peter Obi for the love for his father. Calling on the people of the State to vote APGA, he said “If APGA fails, Ojukwu fails; If Ojukwu fails, Ndigbo fails.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Fidelis Okafor said the University community was overwhelmed by Obi's gesture. He said that Obi had paid the greatest attention to the University than any other Governor since the school was founded. “Before Obi, people hardly choose us as first choice University, but now, like other universities, we have far more number of people applying to us than we can take. He increased our subvention many times. He started the development of the Igbariam Permanent Site; he built a brand new University Teaching Hospital and College of Medicine for us. He was instrumental to the accreditation of many courses in the University. Today, he gave us a cheque of 5 Billion Naira, which no University has got in one full swoop in recent times. We shall reciprocate these gestures by doubling our efforts,” the VC said.

Speaking to the press after the event, the Governorship candidate of APGA, Dr. Willie Obiano, accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Nkem Okeke assured the students that they would review their school fees on assumption of office. They also said that they would continue all the developmental efforts of the APGA government in the University.