By DESTINY Isinwa
High Chief Prof. Alexander Dozie Wozuzu Acholonu paid a longevous visit to Imo State College of Health and Management Sciences Amaigbo where he served as the first Rector of the institution over forty years ago
Prof Acholonu who is currently 93 years old paid the emotional visit to the institution on Thursday 4th June, 2026 where he declared that he came to visit the institution in order to continue contributing towards education of younger generations especially as the first Rector of the old Amaigbo College of Technology.
The emeritus US professor who is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, a recipient of the distinguished honour of OON (Officer of the Order of the Niger), former Pro-Chancellor of Imo State University, Ogbuhoro-uzo-One of Amaigbo, promised to establish an annual award of three hundred thousand naira to the best graduating student of the college and in perpetuity; to donate to the school library his intellectual publications and other legacies that will immortalize his name in the institution.
“I’m delighted to come back to Amaigbo. The very time I came here, I fell in love with Amaigbo people. The acronym we had for the College was ACOT (Amaigbo College of Technology). I was prepared to make the College one of the most outstanding Colleges of Technology in Imo State. The military Governor Ike Nwachukwu and the Commissioner of Education, Prof. Adiele Afikpo decided to close the College. It was unfortunate. The Amaigbo people tried and I also tried to prevent this closure but to no avail. There was more politics than the love of education. When the College was closed, I was forced to go back to the College of Medicine, University of Lagos where I was before Governor Sam Mbakwe gave me the appointment as the first Rector of ACOT. I’m very pleased to see that we have this institution is thriving and giving a new name. I decided to come today and see where I was the first Rector. The name that you have now for the college is acceptable. The important thing is that you are going to educate the people. You’re going to be technological rather than theoretical.
Again, having lived up to this time, I decided to come and see this place again before I take my exit from this world. I remember the famous Latin phrase: veni, vidi, vici: I came, I saw, I conquered. I’m emotionally attached to this institution and I will make it difficult for you to forget me.” He declared.
Receiving the accomplished professor, the institution’s Provost, San. Uzoechi Anselm responded that “the Amaigbo College of Technology is the baseline. The school has metamorphosed in both name and structure. It moved from Amaigbo College of Technology to School of Health Technology, to School of Health Science and Technology, to Imo State College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and eventually changed to Imo State College of Health and Management Science. That is where we are now.”
“We have survived a lot. In our quest to make the institution good and what it is supposed to be, we’re reaching out. We have initiated a lot of Public Partnership programs. We rely mainly on private partnership. It’s a government institution but we cannot leave everything for government.”
“Your story is a story we didn’t know before now. He assured Professor Acholonu that the institution would update its historical records to reflect his pioneering role and would continue to seek his support and guidance. In whichever way we feel you can help us, we’ll reach out to you.” Says the Provost. He disclosed that the institution would immortalize Professor Acholonu by recognizing him as the foremost Rector of the College.
In their remarks, the Registrar of the school, Barr. Williams Ajawara expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as an important opportunity to learn more about the institution’s origin and founding vision. Before now, we did not have this information you gave us. We’re delighted for your visit”. He solicited increased financial support from the Imo State Government to further reposition the College.
The HOD of Medical Laboratory Science Department of the school, Etumnu Rosemary Chioma recounted: “I’m delighted to see you face-to-face Prof Acholonu because my uncle, late Pa Philip Uzoma said much about you when he was alive. Congratulations for your age and it’s our prayer that all of us will experience this type of longevity and with a bulk of wisdom and understanding”. She commended Prof. Acholonu’s enduring contributions to education and noted that the vision he established at the institution continues to thrive despite numerous challenges.
Dean of Students Affairs, Ejiogu Chioma said that “to the glory of God, the vision you Prof. Acholonu brought then did not die even though they tried to abort it. But, today you can see that the little seed planted then has actually grown. This school has really expanded from what it used to be. But our greatest challenge is that we’re not getting support from external people”.
