From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Prof. Ikechukwu Dozie, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Kingsley Ozumba (K.O) Mbadiwe University (KOMU) Ideato has vowed that he never knew Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo State before he was appointed as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the State owned University.
Dozie surprisingly disclosed this in his well attended and articulated valedictory press briefing held last Tuesday at the University’s Liaison Office, Owerri and before top management staff of the revered University including Prof. Anthony Ogbulie, the University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor.
This revelation actually sends good ripples of clarification in certain quarters in Imo State and Nigeria at large, as there were assumptions that his appointment then was through powerful connections and his age long mutual relationship with the Governor and his family.
The University’s former Vice Chancellor, however expressed deep and sincere gratitude to Governor Uzodimma for finding him worthy of being appointed the pioneer substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University.
” It’s because of this special privilege and honour accorded to me by our dear Governor, who did not know me from Adam prior to my appointment, that has made it possible for me to address this distinguished audience today as the former 1st substantive Vice-Chancellor.
“I continue to thank the Governor for his expressed confidence and trust in my appointment as Vice-Chancellor through regular and timely payment of staff salaries, release of monthly imprest and occasional grants for institutional growth and development.
” As I said earlier, I never knew the governor from Adam prior to 2021. And for trusting a stranger in the person of Prof Dozie, I pray that God Almighty will continue to raise men and women of goodwill to speak favourably for him and his family in their endeavors, Amen”.
It’s important to recall that, Dozie whose tenure ended last Monday 18th May, 2026 with litany of giant stride achievements was appointed as the University’s substantive Vice-Chancellor on 19th May, 2021.
The former Vice Chancellor articulated his five year administration’s verifiable score card in a 32 paged document, entitled, ” Accelerating Our Progress To Achieve Global Competitiveness And World-class Status – A Fifth Year Assessment: Marching On To Excellence: Realizing The KOMU Dream Of World Class Institution, which he also presented as, in his state of the University address to the 5th general assembly of the University on Friday 15th May, 2026.
Dozie also stated his administration’s patriotic and sacrificial achievements in another 68 paged magazine document, titled; Bold Transformation Strides, Audacity of Change In Pursuit of Excellence (2021-2026).
The immediate past Vice Chancellor who boldly said he has no regret serving the University, itemized his administration’s achievements in the above stated documents made available to the media, with detailed sub head titles like; On the march to excellence: Institution context and strategic direction, our score cards: from transition to stability and growth, general administration and governance, academic development, innovation, and research advancement and staff welfare, capacity building and human capital development.
Other areas include; students welfare and development, strengthening host community partnership for peaceful co-existence, donations to the University, on the march to excellence: realizing the dream of a first class institution and acknowledgements.
Dozie who immensely acknowledged God in his journeys of life, clinging into the biblical verse of Romans 9:6, “it’s not of him that willet, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy” as his daily blessed assurance.
He also recalled that he became the Vice-Chancellor of KOMU in the face of a sudden upsurge of insecurities in the State, especially within Orlu senatorial zone, and more so the then incorrect perceptions about the ownership of the University and many other uncertain oddities.
According to him, ” but God Almighty saw us make our modest contributions to the growth and development of Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, (KOMU). To Him be all the glory, great things He hath done.
” As I take my bow, I do so with a sense of fulfillment, and with hope. Hope that this institution will continue to rise. Hope that those who came after, will build even stronger foundations. Hope that the dream of a world-class University will not only endure, but be fully realized.
“The march continues. The vision lives on. The future awaits. KOMU, one team, one mission and selfless services to humanity “.
The highlight of the press briefing was the presentation and decoration of Prof.Ikechukwu Nosike Simplicus Dozie as, The Most Outstanding Vice-Chancellor Award of Excellence by Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ South East Zone as presented by Chief Eze Adiuku, the Vice-President of the Zone (C) and was assisted by Comrade Ifeanyi Nwaguma and Mrs. Treasure Ihechi Nwama, the Imo State NUJ Chairman and Secretary respectively.
