As part of the efforts of the Administration of Professor E. Uche Ikonne to improve on the existing cordial relationship with the University host Community, Uturu, the Vice Chancellor hosted a delegation of the Oke- Uturu Solidarity Forum, with representatives of some other Uturu groups to a Courtesy visit in the conference room of his office.
Responding to a list of demands presented to him, the VC, Professor Ikonne, thanked them for their peaceful conduct and for donating their Land to the Abia State Government for the establishment of the University, which he said, has brought tremendous benefits to the Community.
He pointed out that, he proposed the setting up of a Relationship Committee, with members drawn from the University and the Uturu Community on assuption in Office, as a demonstration of his commitment to improve the cordial relationship between the two Stakeholders, from what it was.
According to him, his adminisration like non other, has carried along and reached out to the Community in so many areas, like appointments, admission, attending to Uturu Community events and others, while promising to look into their demands to see more areas the Administration can come in.
However, the Vice Chancellor advised them to work for the interest of the entire Community and avoid acts capable of inciting others against the University thereby truncating the harmonious peaceful relationship existing between the two parties, which does no good to anyone.
Earlier, the Leader of the group, and President of Oke- Uturu Solidarity Forum, Hon.Mike Ogele, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, while thanking the Vice Chancellor for his achievements, and acknowledging his efforts in reaching to members of Uturu Community in the University in different areas, presented an 11 points request, for intervention, including helping to appeal to the State Government, to extend the Electrification project, which recently connected the University to the National Grid, to the entire Community of Uturu.
In a vote of thanks, the Secretary General of the Oke Uturu Solidarity, Agbara Anthony, expressed graitude to the Vice Chancellor for what he has done so far to accommodate the interest of the Community, but like Oliver Twist, do ask for more.
The meeting was attended by some Principal Officers of the University.
