“Government Workers Should Prioritize Patriotism and Professionalism Over Personal Interests” says Prof Okolie

Government appointees and staff across all sectors in Nigeria have been urged to apply professionalism and patriotism in all they do for the betterment of our dear nation.

The Vice-Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Professor Aloysius Michaels Nnabugwu Okolie, made this call on Saturday during the official reception event organized by the Greater Awgu Welfare Association (GAWA) ESUT Chapter, in honor of his appointment as the University’s leader.

He stated that working in Nigeria is one of the toughest tasks, as many who come close are there for their own benefits rather than for the work and society at large.

He emphasized that for a government appointee or staff member to be successful, such a person must prioritize the interests of their work and country over those who seek to exploit the system for personal gain. He added that the best way to survive and leave a legacy is to work hard and create a system that can be transferred across generations.

“I am very happy to be in your midst today because this is an opportunity for us to know each other more for the benefit of our institution,” he remarked. “When I was appointed the Vice-Chancellor by the former Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi, I was asked to go and create a new ESUT, which was a difficult task. This is because people were used to norms and systems that were against growth and progress. What I did was start creating a functional system because that is the only thing that can help me deliver. I started with staff biometric registrations and regularizations to ensure that employees are well placed and positioned. This enabled me to have a clear view of what the University looked like before we started convocation and addressed the issue of inaugural lectures for our professors. You can attest to the fact that our school is more visible now.”

The University Don, who is from Awgu Egbeneli Community, urged all members of GAWA to reject nepotism in all they do and embrace patriotism, as that is the standard for measuring a university. He added that for him to succeed as their brother, they must always do the right thing at the right time, which is what would make him a better leader.

He also admonished them to avoid any activity that is contrary to the school’s regulations, as he will not hesitate to take action against any Greater Awgu staff member who defaults.

In his address, the chairman of the Greater Awgu Welfare Association, ESUT Chapter, Prof. Leo Chukwu, said they organized the event to celebrate an illustrious son of the organization, who is from Umuhu-Ezike Kingdom, Awgu Town, Awgu Local Government Area. He then highlighted the achievements of Prof. Okolie within his two years in office.

He called on the members of the organization to give the Vice-Chancellor maximum support by being punctual to duty and providing the necessary advice and guidance for him to succeed.

Prof. Chukwu also called on the members of the group and well-meaning Greater Awgu sons and daughters to support the organization for the betterment of all.

Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Justice Onuora (rtd.), thanked God for the opportunity to witness the emergence of another son of “Old Awgu” as a public university leader.

He stated that it is time for all the leaders from Greater Awgu, especially those in academia, to unite and champion a course on education that will further empower them.

He also urged for greater use of the language in communication to prevent the possibility of its extinction, before praising the leadership qualities of Prof. Okolie, whom he described as someone of whom “Old Awgu” is proud.

The retired Justice also highlighted the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders within the university community, stressing that unity is crucial for progress. He called on the Greater Awgu community to leverage their diverse expertise and resources to support developmental initiatives in ESUT. According to him, such collective efforts would not only uplift the university but also set a precedent for future generations to emulate.

He expressed optimism that with continued dedication from both the leadership of GAWA and the management led by Professor Aloysius Michaels Nnabugwu Okolie, ESUT would reach new heights in academic excellence and social impact.