COOU INAUGURATES SUG EXECUTIVES AFTER SIX YEARS OF DORMANCY

On Thursday, 25th June, 2026, The University's Management officially inaugurated the duly elected Students' Union Government (SUG) executives at the University Senate Chamber, marking the end of a six-year hiatus in student union leadership.

While presenting the newly elected officers to the University Management, the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Innocent Ngangah, expressed profound appreciation to the Vice Chancellor for fulfilling a promise that many had long awaited. He noted that beyond restoring student representation, the election itself stood out for being seamless, transparent, peaceful, and successfully conducted through an online voting platform.

He urged the newly inaugurated executives to remain constantly mindful of the confidence reposed in them by the students, describing them as the vital bridge between the students and the University Management. He further encouraged them to embrace constructive dialogue, lead with humility and integrity, serve with courage, and build a legacy that future generations of students would proudly remember.

Speaking on behalf of the new executive council, the SUG President, Mr. Ikezue Anthony, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for restoring the students' voice after six years of an inactive union. He remarked that history and posterity would forever remember Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha for making the revival of the Students' Union Government a reality.

He pledged to remain accessible, responsive, and result-oriented throughout his administration while working diligently to deliver on his 13-point agenda.

In her address, The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, described the newly elected SUG executives as the most disciplined, responsible, and promising student leadership she had encountered since assuming office. She emphasized that effective leadership is anchored on humanity, noting that any leader who loses their sense of humanity has lost the very essence of leadership.

She also drew attention to the recently reviewed Students' Handbook, encouraging every student to familiarize themselves with its provisions as a guide to responsible conduct and informed decision-making within the University community.

The Vice Chancellor further charged the student leaders to champion the University's Pick It Initiative, stressing that environmental cleanliness remains a collective responsibility and an essential component of the institution's culture of excellence.

Reiterating Management's position on student conduct, she reminded the executives that the ban on sign-out ceremonies remains in force, cautioning students against obstructing roads or disrupting academic activities under the guise of celebrations. While issuing this directive, she assured the students of her commitment to protecting their legitimate interests, emphasizing that such advocacy must be matched with responsible conduct on their part.

She also reminded students of the University's 75% lecture attendance requirement, noting that the policy is binding on both students and lecturers, and encouraged strict compliance in the interest of academic excellence.

Expressing optimism about the University's future, Prof. Omenugha affirmed that with the collective commitment of the student leadership and the wider university community, COOU is well-positioned to attain even greater heights. She concluded by congratulating the newly inaugurated executives and wishing them a purposeful, impactful, and successful tenure.

©️ COOUNewS, 2026