Anambra Governor Obiano felicitates with Egbu on appointment as first black VC of British varsity

The Governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano has congratulated Professor Charles Egbu on his emergence as the first black Vice Chancellor of a British university.

Dr. Egbu, a Professor of Quantity Surveying, will on November 1, 2020 assume duties as the Vice Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University in England.

He is currently the Pro-Vice Chancellor in charge of Education and Experience at the University of East London, having served as the Dean of the School of the Built Environment and Architecture of the London South Bank University and a Senior Academic at the University College, London.

Governor Obiano described it as a great moment for not only the government and people of Anambra State but also all Nigerians and indeed, Africans and Blacks across the globe.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Mr. C-Don Adinuba, Governor Obiano said that Professor Egbu’s emergence is a game changer in the history of higher education in a conservative society like the United Kingdom where only last January the University’s Minister, Mr. Chris Skidmore, decried the fact that the number of Blacks holding Senior Academic positions in Britain is officially zero.

Governor Obiano maintained that Professor Egbu reminds all Africans of when Professor Kenneth Onwuka Dike, another worthy indigene of Anambra State, became the first African and Black Principal of the University College, Ibadan, and later emerged the first African and Black Vice Chancellor of the University, which was established in 1948.

Professor Dike, who graduated First Class in the United Kingdom, just like Professor Egbu, made the University of Ibadan to become synonymous with excellence in scholarship and administration throughout the world.

Governor Obiano stated that Professor Dike discovered early enough the great promise of such young scholars as Dr Jacob Ade Ajayi, and went further to ensure their rapid rise, despite protests from certain quarters.

Governor Obiano stated that the records which these scholars made in various disciplines and endeavours vindicated Professor Dike’s actions, as he went on to become a distinguished Professor at Harvard University until he was asked to return home to serve his fatherland.

Governor Obiano expressed confidence that Professor Egbu, who hails from Abatete in Idemili North Local Government Area, will excel in his new role and consequently Market Anambra State to the International

Community in a most uncanny way.