Speaking to reporters in Owerri on Sunday, Professor Uchefula Chukwumaeze, the Vice Chancellor of Imo State University (IMSU), expressed his approval of President Bola Tinubu’s student loan initiative. However, he highlighted that the challenge lies in its effective execution.
He simply put it as “Anything that brings food to the table of students is a good law. But let us watch out for the implementation because that is where the problem is. Like I said any law that put food on the table of the student is a good law.”
Regarding Imo State University, he revealed that he faces daily threats in his endeavors to eradicate all forms of corruption and unprofessional behavior among certain lecturers within the institution.
As for how he acquires information concerning the misbehavior of certain lecturers, he disclosed the creation of an email address provided to students for reporting their concerns. He shared that about “10 emails are received daily, which are then reviewed by the committees we have established.”
He explained that he made this decision due to inheriting a system steeped in corruption, where manipulating results was a prevalent practice. To address this, he adopted an open-door policy. Despite the constant threats he encounters in his mission to eradicate corruption, he remains steadfast, drawing strength from his faith.
“I am not afraid. I will continue to do the right thing. How did we do it, I created an email and gave it to students to report and send information of what they are facing. On a daily basis, I receive emails from students. We invite them and take. We don’t disclose the identity of the complainant.”
The VC highlighted that “We have suspended lecturers for unprofessional conduct. We suspended the selling of handouts. We suspended seven lecturers. We are addressing corruption in all facets. And no lecturer will hold the script four weeks after the end of an exam.”
