Obi renames state varsity after Ojukwu

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State yesterday renamed the Anambra State University (ANSU) as Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) after the Ikemba Nnewi who died on November 26 2011. Obi said they would have thrown a big party in commemoration of Ojukwu’s 80th birthday and the re-naming of the university after him, but for the tragedy that befell the state at the weekend at Uke where over 20 worshippers died at the Adoration ground. He pointed out that all that were done at the university were all done by his government as he donated two brand new Innoson Hummer buses to the two union governments of the university. Obi also donated three security vans to beef up security in the university. He also promised to offset the N500 million debt owed by the university, promising that the university would henceforth get everything needed for quality learning. He also announced the government’s increment of subvention to the university by 15 per cent with effect from January, this year. Obi promised to lift COOU to Oxford University standard, as he handed over N5 billion cheque to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Fidelis Okafor for capital projects in the institution. Speaking, Ojukwu’s widow, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu referred to the tribute of President Goodluck Jonathan at the funeral of her husband to prove that Ojukwu’s place in history was assured. According to her, Jonathan had said Ojukwu’s place in history was assured as he stood out as a brave, courageous and charismatic leader. She, therefore, appealed to Ndigbo not to throw away the great sacrifices made by Ojukwu for the Igbo nation. Bianca told the large crowd that Anambra is a state for Ojukwu, adding that her late husband left behind, a cock which they must not allow to die. She said Governor Obi who shares some common attributes with her late husband has picked a governorship candidate who will rule like him in Mr. Willie Obiano. The ambassador assured that APGA would run a clean campaign in the state, saying it is contest of brothers