By EDISON Okereke

The challenge of food items in Imo State will soon be a thing of the past.
Reason: the Chair person and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES) in Umuagwo, Imo State, Professor Nelson Uzoechi Uzoma Allino, made the promise on the University campus yesterday while fielding questions from Daily Nigerian Horn shortly after taking a tour of the facilities there with his council members.

He assured that given a few months of piloting the affairs of the institution there will be a difference, adding that he will resuscitate its wealth.

He said, “I don’t want to mince words. There is wealth sitting here. And it would be unfair to have so much wealth and we are complaining. What we want now is sit back and we’ll make sure we employ all available resources –local and international –to make sure we explore this wealth that is sitting here in Umuagwo.
“We’ll work together. My team has agreed with the Governor, our very excellent, very visionary Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma. He has given us charge.
“He wants to turn Umuagwo food basket of Imo State; in fact, the whole Nigeria. And we’ll make that work.”

On the seriousness of his assurances considering that similar promises had been made in the past by other leaders of his ilk, the Pro-Chancellor, said, “I’m sure it will be easy for me to complain, having taken a walk around the campus, seen all the dilapidated equipment —farm lands, poultry, fishery, piggery –all of them dilapidated.

“We also have here a ranch. I didn’t know there is a ranch in Imo State. Today, I saw there is one existing, but from prior. We cannot allow that to go waste. We’ve seen, I didn’t want to complain what happened in the past.

“Just now, I saw a garri processing plant working, just needs some cleaning… We have people begging to supply them food. Why can’t we do it, what does it take? And with the zeal –just give us a few months, there will be a difference.”

He urged everyone of the management staff to sit up.
“This is based on the mandate that the council has been given. We’ll make changes; make things work. You’ll have to sit up or take out. If you’re not ready to work, then give space so that people who are ready to work will work. And we’ll enforce it.

“But I’m glad we got assurance from the Senate. This place will transform itself. We can change this place. We’ll not complain when we have the resources to make ourselves better,” Professor Allino stated.

Earlier, the Chancellor, Professor Christopher Chiedozie Eze, who conducted the visitors around the campus assured the council of the University’s cooperation to move it forward in order to realize its objectives.

Other UAES Board members include Chief Adolphus Obi, Pharm J S Obi, Mrs Ada Ekekwe, Chief Henry Njoku, Barr T U Asoegwu, and Dr Nath Merenu.

Among other members of the University management are: Dr Obinna Adumanya (DVC Academics); Dr Emmanuel Uzodinma (DVC Administration);
Prof Phillipe Monugbuna (Rep. Senate); Dr Christian Ike (Rep. Senate); Dr. Mrs Chizoma Osuagwu (Rep. Senate); Dr Mrs Chidinma Ozuomba (Rep. Senate); Dr Ekene Nwabueze (Rep. Congregation); Dr Mrs Olachi Ihejirika (Rep. Congregation).