The name Prof. Uche Eleazar Ikonne needs no introduction in the Abia academic and political firmament, having served as a Rector, Abia State Polytechnic from where he went on to become the Vice Chancellor of the prestigious Abia State University.
One common legacy Prof. Ikonne leaves behind in all the places he has served is COMPETENCE, EXCELLENCE, HONESTY AND TRANSPARENCY.
Before Prof. Ikonne was commissioned to come to Abia State Polytechnics on a rescue mission, the institution was at the brink of collapse with very low number of students enrolment, backlog of salaries and 2 billion naira debt burden, through his exceptional brilliance, administrative ingenuity, competence and years of experience in the education sector, he deployed different approaches by way of stake holder involvement, Quality Assurance, Research and development, Knowledge generation and dissemination, Dedicated services to the school communities through extra-mural and consultancy services, improvement in the welfare of both the staff and students and within a short period the school witnessed a boost in student enrolment with students coming from all over the country to enroll and study in Abiapoly, he cleared the arrears of 2 billion naira debt the school owed, he cleared backlog of staff salary using IGR and subventions, he improved the schools environment and enhanced its aesthetics, he secured NBTE Accreditation for so many courses not previously accredited, he ensured improvement in staff capacity by enabling them access to TETFUND funding for seminars and conferences these are a few of his achievements within the period he administered AbiaPoly.
Shortly after stabilizing AbiaPoly, Prof. Uche Ikonne, who holds a Doctorate degree in Optometry (OD) from Manila Central University, Philippines, was appointed the 7th Vice Chancellor of the prestigious Abia State University Uturu.
Prof. Ikonne who hails from Agburuke – Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North, LGA, Abia State, was born on the 15th of August 1956 and has had a flourishing career in teaching, research and administration in tertiary education spanning through a period of 29 years, yet, one interesting aspect of his life and career is that he had 80% of his career life in Abia, and at such he is conversant with the developments in the state and its challenges across all sectors.
Prior to his appointment as the 7th Substantive Vice-Chancellor, Abia State University, on the 1st of December 2015, through his career progression has held several Administrative positions which includes Rector, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba (on Rescue Mission), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), ABSU- 2010-2014, Deputy Provost, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Director, Institute of Distance Education (IDEA), and Head, Department of Optometry, ABSU.
Upon assumption of office as the 7th Vice Chancellor of Abia State University Prof. Ikonne met the university at 93rd position in Nigerian Universities Ranking in 2015, through dedication, hard work, capacity, competence and administrative ingenuity which he is known for, within a short period, he improved on the university’s ranking and raised it to the 27th position and being not one who is satisfied with playing the low cards scaled up the educational standards which placed ABSU as the 2nd Best State University in the Nigerian University Ranking in the year 2020.
Under his watch as the VC of ABSU, he expanded the institution by creating a multi-Campus university where he moved the law faculty to Umuahia, while pharmacy and engineering was situated in Osisioma, Prof Ikonne, secured TETFUND funding by observing global best practices and transparency in project execution, he introduced Pre-Med Courses eg: anatomy, physiology etc., he got the NUC and the NMA to increase ABSU,s quota from 75 to 125 annually, these are just a few of the feats he achieved while he was in ABSU as the Vice Chancellor, if I begin to enumerate Prof. Ikonne’s achievements in the academic industry there wont be enough space to contain the enviable feats and achievements of this academic giant.
Throughout his career in the academia, Wherever the erudite Professor has administered he leaves in his trail, unapparelled development in human capital, economic and infrastructural development.
Prof. Ikonne, though not a career politician is knowledgeable about the economic, infrastructural, administrative requirements and policy needs of the state at this time, he is skilled in interpersonal relationships, able to listen, demonstrates patience and tolerance, accessible and available to all, careful about details such as record keeping, follow-through, and follow-ups, positively committed to advisement and he is ever ready to fold his sleeves and get to work.
He has the intellectual ability, capacity, experience and exposure to place Abia in a faster lane of development, a Prof. Ikonne governorship will be the best news to emanate from Abia State, given the current political trend whereby the electorates have chosen to elect more of technocrats because of their track record of integrity, honesty, accountability, transparency and competence.
While Prof. Ikonne continues to enjoy the support of ordinary Abians, his enthusiasts and objective Abians both at home and in diaspora who are desirous of a responsible, transparent, accountable and result oriented governance, his foray into politics seem to have caused a major cataclysm in the camp of a clan of some envious and desperate CAREER politicians, who feel threatened by Prof. Ikonne’s Phenomenon and accomplishments with the perception that because of his transparency, integrity and honesty they would be denied their political meal ticket once he lay his hands on the executive powers.
The poser begging for attention is, why are this class of desperate and self-serving politicians scared of Prof. Ikonne’s inroad into politics?
And that reinforces the question, WHO IS AFRAID OF PROF. IKONNE?
……To be continued
