By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Tansian University, Umunya, the best regional faith-based Varsity, has unanimously elected Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Edwin Obiorah, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) as the brand new Chancellor/Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) of the great citadel of learning.
The election, which took place during the meeting of the BoT on 7 March 2025, had the popular and fearless legal luminary elected as the new helmsman.
The BoT members are as follows: Rev. Fr Dr ESC Obiorah – Chairman; Rev. Bro Innocent Uke; Rev. Daniel Igwilo – Registrar/Secretary; Dr. Helen Ozokwere (immediate past Ag. Chairman of BoT; Dr. Anene Nwachukwu; Hon. Dr. Lawrence Ezeudu; Chief Vincent Nwafor Osakwe and Prof Ellis Idemobi.
The Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor; Prof. Eugene Nwadialor and Prof. Cater D.N. Umeoduagu, who observed the election alongside Rev. Edwin Asomugha, stated that the election was transparent, free, fair, and credible.
Speaking shortly after the election, the outgone Acting Chairman of the BoT, Prof. Helen Ozokwere, extolled the brand new Chancellor/Chairman of BoT, Fr. Obiorah SAN, stating that it was entirely a round peg on a round hole, even as she described his victory as generally accepted.
Earlier in the meeting, the General Overseer of Rhema Ministries, Dr. Anene Nwachukwu, nominated Rev. Fr. Dr. ESC Obiorah, while Hon. Barr. Lawrence Ezeudu seconded his motion. The votes were cast and counted, and Rev. Fr. ESC Obiorah emerged.
In their separate speeches, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institution, Prof. Ellis Idemobi; the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eugene O. Nwadialor; and the Registrar of the University, who doubles as the Secretary of Conference of Registrars, Nationwide Nigeria, Rev. Daniel I. Igwilo, respectively, stated that the election of Rev. Fr. Dr. ESC Obiorah was a welcome development, describing him as the right man for the job, saying that they believed that he would take Tansian University to enviable heights where massive development would take place in the institution in the nearest future.
Briefing newsmen, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the institution, and a former House of Assembly member of Anambra State, Prof. Sir Cater Dike Nnamdi Umeoduagu, thanked God Almighty for his benevolence and blessings, stating that what happened was a thing to glorify the name of God. He added that Tansian University remained the best regional University South East of Nigeria, faith cum Catholic University, and deserved the best in ways the institution was run towards achieving the best for same.
Professor Umeoduagu, who described Rev. Fr. Dr. ESC Obiorah as a man of impeccable character, added that he (Fr. Obiorah) was a distinguished personality in Nigeria and in the world. He stated that he deserved the position and should be seen as a blessing to the University.
The acceptance speech of the brand new Chancellor/Chairman of BoT, Rev. Fr. Dr. ESC Obiorah, formed part of the closing sessions of the meeting, in which he assured that he would put in all his best to ensure Tansian University continued to be the best University in Africa and by extension the world. He however emphasized that the legacies of the founding father of the institution, the late Very Rev. Monsignor Prof J.B. Akam, should continually be given utmost attention and commitment, assuring all present that he would not disappoint the institution.
