The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has publicly condemn the moral decay in Imo State University Owerri, charging the Governing Board to be more pragmatic in finding solutions to the endemic problem currently besetting the institution.
Uzodimma gave the charge when he received the Chairman and members of the Institution’s Governing Board in his office in Government House, Owerri on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
The Governor, who lamented the rate of corruption in the school, maintained that the old order must change, adding, “what is very endemic is corruption and lack of commitment on the part of the staff.”
He wondered why the School will give admission to students who cannot graduate after four years of completing their academic programme and called for thorough investigation into such malpractices as well as streamline the admission process.
Our universities must be structured in a way that not only promotes academic knowledge but also instills the moral values they are known for. This essential mission of higher education was a major point I highlighted when I hosted the Chairman and members of the Governing Council of Imo State University (IMSU).
I urged the Council to maintain the institution’s long-standing reputation for integrity, emphasizing the importance of discipline, ethical behavior, and academic excellence. Additionally, I pointed out the necessity for the university to broaden its research initiatives to tackle urgent societal challenges, encouraging innovation that supports sustainable development.
The Government, under my leadership, is fully committed to backing the staff, management, and Governing Council of IMSU. We will keep providing the essential resources and a supportive environment to ensure these goals are achieved for the benefit of our State and beyond
“I can even allow you fix your salary, but there must be money. It is not charity.”
He further explained that if there is a functional system, investors may come under Public Private Partnership (PPP) and boost the revenue of the school. This, he said, “will provide a win-win situation and everybody will be happy.”
Uzodimma resolved that automation, and computerization is the way out, to get a system that can give accurate data that provide nominal roll of students and number of staff on the payroll of government.
He therefore enjoined the Board to do a needs assessment to determine what the cost of running the school will be and the revenue capacity in order to give the university a firm footing.
He charged the Board and Management to go back to the drawing board and seek proper solution to the problems of the school. “Any sick man who goes to the hospital and starts taking injection without laboratory test is taking a risk.”
Earlier in his address, the Chairman Imo State University Governing Board, Rev. Fr. Prof. Philip Anyaehie Ogbonna thanked the Governor for finding them worthy of the appointment, noting that the visit was to intimate him on the progress so far made by the Board since their inauguration in January, 2025.
Rev. Fr. Ogbonna disclosed that the Board has made some findings and came up with insight that will propel the institution to greater height. They include, but not limited to the overhaul of the system, accreditation of Colleges of Medicine and Engineering, staff promotion and welfare, employment, among others.
He requested the Governor to help them computerise the University system to check corrupt practices as well as encourage digital skills training in the school, a way that will guarantee employment of the students after graduation.
Other Board members present include; the Founder of Zinox Computers, Mr. Leo Stan Eke, Rt. Hon Chums Nnaji, Hon. Godwin Esom Obodo, Pharmacist Chuks Okoronkwo and Princess Nkechi Mbachu.
The Vice Chancellor Imo State University, Prof. Uche Chukwumaeze, led other Principal Officers of the University to the meeting
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