Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) in Anambra State celebrated its 25th anniversary on Wednesday, May 21, by honouring notable Nigerians with the Ojukwu Legacy Award. The event included a 25-gun salute to commemorate the university’s silver jubilee, marking its 25th anniversary in 2005.
Among the awardees were the late former Anambra State Governor, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, and the former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barth Onugbolu, the university’s pioneer Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Prof. Cornelius Ezekwe, and entrepreneur Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo.
The celebration attracted notable personalities, including Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu; Professor Uche Azikiwe, wife of Nigeria’s first President; and Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who was represented by Obi Ukpabi Asika. Legislators and leaders from various sectors were also present.
Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu spoke on the significance of the day, recalling the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu as a man of courage, strong convictions, and dedication to justice. She described him as a soldier, statesman, and intellectual who believed strongly in education as a tool for change. She said it was fitting that the university carries his name, reflecting his commitment to the growth and pride of the Igbo people.
She added that her late husband believed the future of any country depends on its educated youth and expressed satisfaction that COOU is living up to this vision. She also praised Governor Soludo for his support of the university and his broader development efforts in Anambra, which have gained national recognition, including the commissioning of key projects by President Tinubu. As a member of the university’s governing council, Bianca Ojukwu praised the leadership of Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha for the progress achieved in the last 16 months.
She called her Vice-Chancellor, saying Professor Omenugha’s work on infrastructure, partnerships with global institutions, and focus on the university’s visibility and values have positioned COOU strongly in national rankings.
Professor Omenugha, in her remarks, noted that the university, founded by Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, has grown into a vibrant institution with students from 24 states across Nigeria and other African countries.
She said the silver jubilee celebration reflected COOU’s legacy of excellence, unity, and diversity, with 17 faculties and 73 academic programmes across arts, sciences, law, medicine, pharmacy, engineering, and humanities.
Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo, upon receiving the award, thanked the university for the recognition and pledged N50 million for a hostel water supply project aimed at improving conditions for staff and students.
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