*Becomes first female VC of Enugu State extraction
*As Governing Council inaugurates Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, matriculates first set of students
Professor Uchechukwu Lucy Onyekwelu, has emerged as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Lux Mundi University, Umuahia in Abia State.
Prof. Onyekwelu, PhD, FCA, FAMSSRN, FFAR, ACTI, a consummate scholar/researcher, and influential Human Capital Development expert, made history as the first female to be appointed as Vice-Chancellor from Enugu State.
She was the Head of Department of Accountancy, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu and member of the University’s Senate.
Lux Mundi university was established with support from a team of experts from Apollos University, Montana, USA and Home Health Aide Training Institute, New York, USA, who assisted with the formation and take off/laying the foundations of the University.
The ceremony which took place at the university’s Auditorium, included the investiture of other Principal Officers of the University, the first matriculation of its pioneer students and the foundation laying of His Excellency, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim Faculty of Management Sciences Complex, an endowment sponsored by the former Governor of Imo State.
Another memorable endowment which took place was in memory of Her Excellency, the late wife of the Governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo was the Faculty of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences Complex.
The foundation laying ceremonies were performed at the permanent site of the University by Dr. Ohakim and His Grace Most Rev. Archbishop Chibuzo Opoko.
The Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor/founder of the university, Prof. Gabriel Obiamaraije Chinedum Okenwa, disclosed during the unveiling, that a consortium of local and international investors (including top retired public officials, bankers, Catholic clergy, other professionals and academics) led by him, conducted the screening of applicants for the post of the VC, from several universities in the country and abroad.
He stated that Prof. Onyekwelu emerging the founding Vice-Chancellor, was after having confirmed that she holds the required pedigree and experience to administer a complex institution of that nature.
The unveiling of the University and subsequent investiture of the Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor was performed by His Grace, Most Rev Ignatius Ayua Kaigama, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja and former President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
Archbishop Kaigama was the appointed mentor of Lux Mundi University by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The Chancellor of the University is Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri and current President of the CBCN. Speaking during the investiture, Prof Onyekwelu, charged the students to always align with the top-notch academic programmes offered at the university in order to achieve their desired academic excellence and attain the height to be globally competitive.
She further charged them not to be derailed by unnecessary distractions, but to remain focused on their academic programmes to be global citizens who would be change agents needed so much in Nigeria.
There were numerous goodwill messages from critical stakeholders in the academia during the ceremony including from, Ambassador Dr. Kema Chikwe, Founder/Chairman, Women Leadership Institute; Prof. John Kennedy Opara, Chairman/CEO, CSS FARMS, who announced scholarship endowment fund for 22 students of Lux Mundi University from Mbaise cultural zone, effective from the 2024/2025 academic session.
Equally, the Vice-Chancellor of Veritas University Abuja; Quadrangle Media Limited; Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities; Ambassador Robin R. Sanders of FEEDS and CSS Group among others, graced the occasion.
Prof. Onyekwelu had been: Head, Dept of Accountancy, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu; founding Consulting Dean, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Maduka University, Ekwegbe, Nsukka, Enugu State; Chairman, National Education Committee, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Vice-Chairman, National Education Committee, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).
