A professor of Law and former Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Simon Ortuanya, has emerged as the 16th Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

Mr Ortuanya beat 25 other candidates to clinch the keenly contested position.

His appointment was ratified on Sunday in Enugu by the university’s Governing Council, following a transparent and merit-based selection process chaired by Chairman of the Governing Council, Kayode Ojo.

Announcing his appointment, Mr Ojo, who is also the pro-chancellor of the university, said the selection process that eventually ended with Mr Ortuanya, started since last year.

He said the selection commenced from the previous council, adding that the council inherited the process which was for about 26 candidates.

Mr Ojo added that the council went through rigorous process to select the new vice chancellor, stressing that they spent days reviewing curriculum vitae and personal interviews with the candidates.

He stated, “These two processes were rigorously and fairly done. Everybody’s documents were scrutinized and with the interview, we brought proper questions that mattered to the development of this university. The idea is to appoint someone for growth of the university and who will take us away from the rot that we have seen all these years.

“Our focus was to look for a manager, a professor, who is sound in education, and also somebody with extensive network outside the university that can help us to attract a lot of patronages. These patronages are for the university, both from the government, alumni, and individuals that have interest in UNN.’’

In his acceptance speech, Mr Ortuanya thanked President Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah, for their commitment and doggedness in ensuring that the appointment came to pass.

He appreciated the UNN Governing Council for the time spent, their commitment, thoroughness and for the rigors they had to go through as well as the pains they bore.

The new VC pledged to serve the university with all his heart, strength and within his powers and with the cooperation and collaboration of the council to return UNN’s glorious days.

He said, “We will redeem our name, rebuild the confidence, build new dreams and follow up with things that have taken us back. Let me commend and thank all my colleagues, the professors, my brothers and sisters that went through this journey with me. I want to say that I am welcoming them all in our efforts to rebuild our alma mater.

“I am extending my hands of friendship, fellowship and brotherhood to each and every one of them. After all, we are all one family.’’

In a congratulatory message, the university management said that Mr Ortuanya would bring with him a wealth of academic and administrative experience.

The congratulatory message was signed by the university’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Inya Agha Egwu.

The management said that Mr Ortuanya’s deep understanding of university governance, policy, and law, as well as his extensive leadership experience, would significantly advance the mission and vision of Nigeria’s premier university over the next five years.

Mr Egwu added, “The university community congratulates Professor Ortuanya on his appointment and looks forward to a new era of academic excellence and transformational leadership.’’

Mr Ortuanya, who hails from Aku in the Igboetiti Local Government Area, becomes the first indigenous vice chancellor from Nsukka, the host town of the university after 65 years of existence in the country.

He previously served as associate dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, and a professor of law at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

The new vice chancellor is also a visiting scholar at the Loyola University, Chicago School of Law.

He was the former Commissioner for Education under Governor Sullivan Chime and immediate past Secretary to the State Government uUnder Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration. He was also the former director general of the South-East Governor’s Forum.

(NAN)