NOCEN SWEARS IN FIRST FEMALE SUG PRESIDENT AS PROVOST CHARGES STUDENT LEADERS ON RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP

The Management of Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe (NOCEN), on Friday, 10th July 2026, officially inaugurated the newly elected Students’ Union Government (SUG) Executive Council at the College Council Chamber. The event marked the commencement of a new era of student leadership and democratic governance in the institution.

The historic inauguration produced the College’s first female Students’ Union Government President, Miss Patricia Adachukwu Ewulum, who took the oath of office alongside other members of the Executive Council before a distinguished gathering of College Management, Principal Officers, staff, students, security personnel, and invited guests.

Presenting the report of the electoral process, the Chairman of the SUG Electoral Committee, Dr. Law Egbomuche-Okeke, Esq., Ph.D., described the election as one of the most transparent, peaceful, and credible in the history of the College. He stated that the committee worked diligently for two weeks to deliver a free, fair, and violence-free election that produced competent and worthy student leaders.

The Oath of Office was administered by the College Litigation Officer, Barrister Onyebuchi Agbo. In her acceptance speech, the newly elected SUG President pledged to uphold the Constitution of the Students’ Union Government, discharge her duties with integrity, promote the unity and welfare of students, maintain confidentiality where necessary, and serve the student body with dedication and selflessness throughout her tenure.

Formally presenting the newly inaugurated Executive Council to the Provost, the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Ndu Azubuike, expressed appreciation to the College Management for providing an enabling environment that ensured the successful conduct of the election.

He described the Provost, Engr. Prof. Victor I.O. Ndirika, FNIAE, as a student-friendly administrator whose unwavering commitment to democratic governance, students’ welfare, and institutional development has continued to strengthen cordial relations between the College Management and the student body. He expressed confidence that the new SUG leadership would work harmoniously with Management to promote peace, unity, and sustainable development.

The Newly Inaugurated SUG Executive Council Are:

1. Miss Patricia Adachukwu Ewulum – President
2. Chukwudindu Egba – Vice President
3. Mmachukwu Okechukwu – Secretary-General
4. Promise C. Adobe – Assistant Secretary-General
5. Chekwube Udeze – Director of Sports
6. Stephen C. Ekwulundu – Treasurer
7. Emmanuel C. S. Esomone – Commissioner for Information
8. Chioma Okeke Peace – Financial Secretary
9. Esther Oluchukwu Godfrey – Director of Education
10. Chinaemere Shedrack Odigwe – Director of Welfare
11. Boniface N. Akabueze – Commissioner for Transport
12. Chukwudi Nwagu – Director of Socials

In his address, the Provost, Engr. Prof. Victor I.O. Ndirika, FNIAE, expressed profound gratitude to Almighty God for the peaceful and successful conduct of the election. He described the exercise as free, fair, transparent, and devoid of violence, and commended all stakeholders for their contributions to its success.

The Provost particularly applauded the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Ndu Azubuike, for his exemplary leadership throughout the electoral process. He also commended the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Dr. Law Egbomuche-Okeke, for his wealth of experience, wisdom, and integrity in conducting a transparent election. He equally appreciated every member of the Electoral Committee for their professionalism and dedication, while acknowledging the contributions of the immediate past SUG Executive Council.

Addressing the newly inaugurated student leaders, Prof. Ndirika reminded them that leadership begins with opportunities such as student union service. Drawing from his own experiences as a secondary school prefect and later President of the Engineering Students’ Association, he encouraged them to view their current positions as stepping stones to greater responsibilities in public service. He noted that today’s student leaders could become tomorrow’s commissioners, ministers, governors, or even President of Nigeria.

The Provost reaffirmed his administration’s open-door policy and encouraged the SUG leadership to sustain constructive engagement with College Management. He urged them to channel students’ grievances through dialogue rather than protests or strikes, assuring them that Management remains committed to addressing genuine concerns.

Describing students as the heartbeat of every tertiary institution, Prof. Ndirika assured the union that students’ welfare would continue to receive priority attention. He emphasized that providing a conducive teaching and learning environment remains central to the College’s vision of producing globally competitive graduates and worthy ambassadors of NOCEN.

He further called for improved environmental sanitation and discipline across the campus, discouraging the indiscriminate disposal of refuse, particularly sachet water wrappers. He condemned the practice of hawking goods inside lecture halls and stressed that commercial activities should be confined to designated areas to preserve the sanctity of the academic environment.

As part of efforts to strengthen institutional discipline, the Provost reaffirmed his administration’s determination to combat cultism, corruption, examination malpractice, and all forms of unethical conduct. He disclosed plans to introduce confidential suggestion boxes through which students could anonymously report misconduct, assuring prompt investigation and appropriate action.

He appealed to the new SUG Executive Council to partner with Management in identifying criminal elements and eliminating cult-related activities on campus in order to sustain a peaceful, secure, and conducive learning environment.

On financial accountability, Prof. Ndirika assured students that all funds paid into official College accounts would be managed transparently and utilized strictly for approved purposes. He advised the SUG leadership to manage the Union’s resources prudently, reminding them that leadership is a sacred trust that demands honesty, accountability, and responsible stewardship.

In his concluding remarks, the Provost reminded the newly inaugurated officers that the oath they had taken represented a solemn commitment to integrity and selfless service. He urged them to remain faithful to that oath and prayed for God’s wisdom, guidance, and blessings upon the new administration.

In her vote of thanks, the newly inaugurated SUG President, Miss Patricia Adachukwu Ewulum, thanked Almighty God for the successful inauguration. She expressed profound appreciation to the Provost, College Management, the Dean of Student Affairs, the Electoral Committee, security personnel, and the entire student community for ensuring a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process.

She assured students that her administration would be anchored on integrity, transparency, accountability, and dedicated service. She pledged to prioritize students’ welfare, strengthen collaboration with the College Management, promote unity, and initiate programmes that would positively impact both academic and social life on campus.

The inauguration ceremony ended on a note of renewed hope and optimism, with students and stakeholders expressing confidence that the new Students’ Union Government, working collaboratively with the College Management, would advance peace, responsible leadership, students’ welfare, and the continued growth of Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe.

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