COOU’s Department of English Pays Courtesy Visit to Vice-Chancellor Ahead of 2nd International Conference

The Department of English, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, FNIPR, ahead of its 2nd International Conference themed “Writing, Language, Literature and Identity in Contemporary Africa: Diasporic Pull, Transnationalism and New Directions.”

Leading the delegation, the Head of Department, Prof. Ikechukwu Asika, explained that the visit formed part of activities marking the Department’s international conference, noting that the Department is deliberately positioning itself on the global academic stage. He disclosed that following the conference sessions, participants would also converge for a symposium aimed at advancing scholarly conversations around the conference theme.

Delivering his remarks, the Guest Lecturer, Prof. Nduka Otionu of Carleton University, Canada, described his return to COOU as an emotional homecoming. He recalled visiting the University in 2017 as a guest lecturer and expressed delight over the remarkable transformation that has taken place since then. Filled with nostalgia, he commended the University’s impressive growth and conveyed goodwill messages from colleagues abroad, while expressing confidence in the institution’s rising global reputation. Other visiting scholars unanimously described COOU as an inspiring academic environment and a great place for learning and research.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, warmly welcomed the delegation and applauded Prof. Asika for attracting distinguished scholars from across the world to the conference. She expressed excitement over the quality of participants and emphasized that the gathering reflects the growing international visibility of the Department and the University.

Prof. Omenugha noted that the Department of English occupies a special place in her heart, recalling that she studied Education/English and distinguished herself academically. She further reflected on her enduring love for literature, revealing that the passion inspired her to perform in a stage play with students of the Department during her birthday celebration earlier this year. Describing herself as “a literary person,” she welcomed the guests to “The Now University and of the Future” and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to building strategic international collaborations, particularly with European universities, stressing that partnership remains one of COOU’s greatest strengths.

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted plans for a Centre for Literacy, which aligns with the University’s vision of promoting excellence in language and literary studies. She commended the Head of Department for his creativity and visionary leadership in advancing the Department’s academic profile.

Encouraging the Department to deepen its research efforts, Prof. Omenugha reminded the faculty that the Anambra State Government has made available a ₦100 million research fund for impactful research. She urged the Department to develop innovative research proposals that would enable it to benefit from the initiative while contributing practical solutions to societal challenges.

The delegation included the Chairman of the Conference, His Majesty Igwe C. Iweka, Traditional Ruler of Obosi; Prof. Nduka Otiono of Carleton University, Canada; Prof. Senayon Olaoluwa of the University of Ibadan; Prof. Iklide Iklelue; Prof. Chike Okoye of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and Dr. Chukwulobe Chimezie, alongside other academics and members of the Department.