Alike Community Reaffirms Commitment to the Development of AE-FUNAI

The people of Alike, the immediate host community of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State have restated their irrevocable commitment to the growth and development of the university.

They made this known yesterday, when critical stakeholders and leaders of thought of the four villages that make up the autonomous community, Echi-Alike, Ndufu-Alike, Enyibichiri and Noyo visited the university.

VC, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba and Principal Officers in a group photograph with the Alike Community Leaders of Thought led by Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku during their visit to the university yesterday.

Led by the former Nigeria Ambassador to Mexico and one-time Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner in charge of the southeast zone, Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku, they expressed their satisfaction on the on-going massive infrastructural development, pledging their support to the continued existence of the university in their community.

“AE-FUNAI is important to Alike community.  It is by the special grace of God that the university was established here

“As the real landlords of this place, we have come to reassure the university management of our unflinching support

“Whatever the challenges the university is presently facing due to the activities of some of our youths especially those that have refused to vacate the premises and those that took it to court, we have come to inform you that all hands are on deck in order to arrest the situation”, Nwuruku noted.

Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku, addressing members of the university management during the visit of the members of Alike Autonomous Community to the university yesterday

The stakeholders also used the opportunity to warn some of their people who are in the habit of obstructing construction works in the university to desist forthwith or be ready to face the wrath of the entire community. They added that some of the occupants of the university land have been settled by some influential individuals from the community and ordered to vacate immediately to maintain peace in the university community.

“We heard some disturbing news about what was happening between the university and some of the indigenes, so we held an emergency meeting to arrest the situation

“Your pain is our pain.  We have asked those who took the university to court to withdraw it so that we can settle the matter amicably. We will do everything humanly possible to protect the university and the lives of its staff and students”, he concluded.

Also speaking during the visit, the pioneer Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Chief Vincent Ekechi Nwode stressed that the university has come to stay in the community because of its overriding public interest, appealing to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba not to be deterred by the antics of some disgruntled persons, and added that the friendship between the university and its host community remains undiluted.

Pioneer Chairman, Ikwo L. G. A, Chief Vincent Ekechi Nwode, speaking during the event yesterday

The President General of Alike Autonomous Community, Apostle Emma Mbam further noted that they have constituted a security and elders’ committee to ensure that miscreants and hoodlums masquerading as those fighting for the interest of the community do not impede the development of the university, urging the Vice-Chancellor not to be deterred.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nwajiuba explained that the Alike community was a good choice for the university, noting that in the nearest future the community would be proud for been the university’s host community.

Continuing the Vice-Chancellor said: “We are developing the university with strong vision. As you can see, the environment is rapidly changing. This university will be the most beautiful campus southeast Nigeria.”

VC, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba speaking during the visit of the Alike leaders of Thought

The Vice-Chancellor further used the opportunity to beckon on private investors, good-spirited individuals and members of the community to join hands with him in developing the university.

“People should key in. All hands should be on deck. It is going to be the best university in Nigeria”, he stated.