By Samson Ezea
Another history was made today. The history of today will be kind to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Posterity will remember him for good as 778 pioneer undergraduates of the newly established and specialised State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) Igbo Eno, Enugu State built by Ugwuanyi's administration matriculated today. What a great, lasting and historic legacy by Governor Ugwuanyi.
It would be recalled that
when Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi's administration conceived and commenced the building of the new specialised University at Igbo Eno, which is the first of it's kind in the Southeast region despite daunting economic cum financial challenges, not many cynics and doubting Thomases, especially from Enugu North Senatorial zone believed in the actualisation of the unique Ivory tower. Some were even dismissive of it.
The reason for their pessimism about the actualisation of the University, which is the second University in Enugu North Senatorial zone 64 years after the establishment of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) is more personal and political than altruism and patriotism.
Not daunted by the financial challenges occasioned by the economic recessions and COVID-19 pandemic that crippled global economy, Governor Ugwuanyi remained undeterred and focused in building the specialised University.
The University has after getting approval license from National Universities Commission (NUC) commenced operation with management team of renowned academics and administrators appointed by His Excellency; resource verification undertaken by the NUC resulting in the approval of 23 programmes; commencement of recruitment of academic faculty and support staff; and commencement of full academic programmes.
With the completion of the University by Governor Ugwuanyi's administration, jobs were created, more opportunities are now available for prospective and aspiring admission seekers, more developments, economic growth and facelifts have been brought to the university community and its environs.
The specialised university, which is one of Governor Ugwuanyi's signature projects will remain a reference point and a thing of surprise and shame to those who initially doubted its actualisation.
