Part 1 here.
It’s worth noting that three different schools (faculties) were created under the watch of Prof. F. C. Eze as the FUTO Vice-Chancellor (VC) to expand the scope of the University.
The schools are namely: School of Information and Communications Technology (SICT), School of Electrical Systems Engineering Technology (SESET), as well as the School of Medical Sciences otherwise known as the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, which was approved by the appropriate authorities after undergoing rigorous verification processes.
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In addition, three Centers of Excellence were duly established in the University under his reign. They are: the Africa Centre of Excellence on Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems (ACE-FUELS), powered by the World Bank; the Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Procurement, Environment and Social Standards Enhancement (CEs-PESS), also powered by the World Bank; and the Centre of Excellence on Local Materials Substitutions, powered by the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
His administration further established the Centre for Waste to Wealth Research and Development in the FUTO Community, having understood the economic value of waste recycling.
His wealth of wisdom also ensured the creation of the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) on Research, Development and Innovations, a section that has tremendously helped to write the University’s name in gold. Little wonder his leadership mantra remains ‘Driving the Culture of Excellence’.
Towards ensuring that the general public was kept abreast of happenings in the University on a regular basis, via the social media channels, he created a Digital (online) Section.
In spite of the paucity of funds occasioned by various factors, such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA), national economic recession, and the emergence of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), Prof. F. C. Eze worked tirelessly to ensure the FUTO Community received a face-lift as regards infrastructural development.
Among many essential structures thoroughly renovated amidst the COVID-19 pandemic was the dilapidated Senate Building, which comprises the offices of countless administrative officers of the University, including the Principal Officers. The edifice in question is now obviously wearing an elegant new look.
In the area of human capital development, it is on record that since the inception of FUTO, Prof. Eze’s administration created the highest number of job opportunities for the teeming young Nigerians who had remained jobless for several years.
The welfare and wellbeing of the overall staff were constantly taken as priority despite the harsh economic situation, not until the emergence of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) whereby workers’ salaries and incentives were, and still, directly paid from the Office of the Accountant General.
Acknowledging the essence of competence, the career-minded VC surrounded his administration with respected and competent academics and administrators, including the Heads of Departments, Deans of Studies, Directors of Centers, Coordinators of Units as well as the Principal Officers.
At all times, he ensured that meritocracy supersedes favouritism while recruiting officers or individuals in various vacant positions. He equally involved himself in activities that are devoid of politics.
This could be attested to in the hitch-free rigorous exercise that saw the emergence of Prof. Mrs. Nnenna N. Oti as the 8th Substantive VC of the revered University, whose leadership era graciously commenced on 19th June, 2021.
Lest I forget, under Prof. Eze, countless students and staff of the University won different kinds of laurels in the areas of technology, research, innovation and sports, just to mention but a few, due to the tireless supports and efforts of his administration.
Inter alia, his administration produced a woman who knows her onus as a successor. Prof. Oti’s personality stands tall among that of other great women I have come across in recent times. Her background and antecedents are obviously so overwhelming and intimidating to the delight of all concerned.
It’s worthy of note that the aforementioned numerous feats wouldn’t have been possible if Prof. Eze didn’t maintain a sound and cordial relationship with the 11th Governing Council of the University ably led by Prof. John Offem. It suffices to assert that the Council was pleased to have a man of his type as the FUTO VC and the Chairman of the University Senate.
These and many more outstanding achievements were what informed the decision of the numerous fora to individually put up outstanding reception for Prof. Eze when he was taking a bow as the 7th Substantive VC of FUTO.
It’s thus needless to assert that all and sundry were honouring and celebrating this leader par excellence who indisputably distinguished himself in both academics and humanity.