Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri
Thousands of students and staff of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, (FUTO) Imo State, on Tuesday, came out in thousands to welcome their Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nnennaya Oti as she resume her school after working as a returning officer for the Abia State Governorship election held on 18th March 2023.
She was welcomed back to the school with a heroic celebration after she served as the State Returning officer for the Abia State governorship election.
The VC was quoted to have said at the state collation office in Umuahia, during the election that as a mother and pastor she won’t comprise the process.
Prof. Oti declared Alex Otti of the Labour Party the Governor-Elect of Abia State, after the contentious results from the Obingwa Local Government Area which was subjected to BVAS review by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s staff in Abuja.
On her return to the school for the first time after the assignment, students and staff of FUTO trooped out in large numbers to welcome her.
They described her as the “heroine of our democracy” as many struggled to beat the crowd to either touch, shake or huge her.
Some others rolled out drums, sang and spread wrappers on the ground in her honour.
Thousands of students intercepted her convey, sang and called her ” a mother with the heart of gold.”
Not even her security aides could stop the jubilant students and staff from having a glimpse of her.
The visibly joyous Oti returned the kind gesture with smiles, waving as her motorcade mingled through the crowd.
Her office complex called the Senate House, was besieged by students and staff who sang songs of celebration.
A student who gave his name as Joy said ” we are here to welcome our big mummy. The heroine of our democracy. Her role in the Abia State governorship election will forever be remembered for good in the history of our democracy. Where other professors went and failed, our erudite and integrity personified vice Chancellor distinguished herself.
She said: “Personally as a student of this institution I feel very proud of her accomplishments. She has put our university in the international news for the good reason. As girl I am proud that it took just a woman, a mother of inestimable value to prove to the world that not all Nigerians are corrupt.”
A staff of the university who could not give his name expressed joy that the FUTO Community is very proud of what the VC did in Abia State.
According to him She went there and exhibited the incorruptible nature of our university.
He said: “Everybody is joyous, highly proud of her unquestionable characters. Characters of integrity, justice, fairness and honestly. The Vice Chancellor has done our school proud and she deserves every honour she is getting today.”
