FG Renames Federal University Ebonyi, Alex Ekwueme University
President Muhammadu Buhari has renamed Federal University, Ndufu-Ikwo, Ebonyi State to Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State.
Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo, announced this during the burial service of the former Vice President late, Dr. Alex Ekwueme at St John, The Divine Church, Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He said this was in honor of Ekwueme’s contributions to nation building.
The announcement brought about some mixed reactions among some people and also the staff of the Varsity.
The decision drew some criticisms with some people wondering why the Federal Government did not rename the Federal Polytechnic Oko which Mr. Ekweme founded.
But the management of the institution in a statement on Saturday said it was excited and proud that the school will now be associated with Mr. Ekwueme.
The statement, which was signed by Vice Chancellor of the University, Chinedum Nwajiuba, also gave reasons why the Federal Government did not rename the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, after Mr. Ekwueme.
“Some may ask why not rename the Polytechnic at Oko? That is for those unfamiliar with protocols and rankings in governance. Some may ask why not upgrade Oko to a university? Government is reluctant to have two federal universities in a state,” he said.
Mr. Nwajiuba described Mr. Ekwueme as an excellent man.
“He had at least seven degrees from a diversity of disciplines including Architecture, Law, and Sociology. Of everyone who has had a university named after in Nigeria, he is the most educated, and perhaps most deserving.
“He was at a time Chancellor of the Ebonyi state university. He was an early entrepreneur establishing perhaps the first firm of Architects in Nigeria, in the late 1950s. He went on to establish hotel businesses in Enugu, Owerri, and Abakaliki among others.
