COOU INAUGURATES ECONOMIC THINK-TANK AND BUSINESS SCHOOL COMMITTEES

In a renewed effort to drive meaningful and large-scale development beyond its previous operational scope, COOU on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, inaugurated two strategic committees—the Economic Think-Tank Committee and the Business School Committee at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room.

Speaking during the inauguration, The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, described the committees as critical to the university’s growth and future direction. She noted that COOU must move beyond its past position in development indices and institutional rankings, adding that the university is now poised to take a leading role across key areas of academic and institutional development.

She explained that the responsibility of the Business School Committee is straightforward: to identify a suitable location for the Business School, develop a clear blueprint for what the school should represent, and show the commitment needed to bring the project to life.

Members of the Economic Think-Tank Committee, on the other hand, were tasked with sharing ideas freely, remaining focused, and working together to develop a common direction that will guide the university’s economic and developmental goals.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, visibility cannot be achieved without genuine leadership and consistent effort while stressing the need for continuous reflection and dedication to the university, noting that this approach remains the surest path to achieving the institution’s 3Vs—Values, Viability, and Visibility, which she said are already becoming evident.

Drawing from her many years of service at the university, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha observed that COOU is blessed with individuals full of ideas and creativity but stressed that the pressing question has always been how effectively those ideas are translated into tangible outcomes.

Also speaking at the Inauguration, Prof. Elis Idemobi, a Co-Chair of the committees, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for her leadership and inspiration while assuring the university management of the committees’ readiness to deliver on their mandate, stating that they have never been known for failures and would therefore work diligently to justify the confidence reposed in them.

The Committee is composed as follows:

* Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, Vice-Chancellor — Chair

* Prof. Ellis Idemobi — Co-Chair

* Prof. Moses Chendo — Member

* Prof. Kingsley K. Nwazor — Member

* Prof. Ngozi Joe-Ikechebelu — Member

* Prof. Walter Nwafor — Member

* Prof. Emeka Obi — Member

* Prof. Orita Chiaghanam — Member

* Prof. Rose Onyekwulu — Member

* Prof. Ethel Mary Dim — Member

* Rev. Fr. Dr. Emmanuel Uchenna Dim — Member