FUTO VC Seeks Stakeholder Support, Commits University to God

Owerri, Nigeria

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Prof. I.N.S. Dozie, has called for the support, co-operation, and collective commitment of all stakeholders as he begins his administration. He expressed confidence that with God’s guidance and shared purpose, the University will attain greater heights.

Prof. Dozie made the call on Sunday during a Thanksgiving Mass held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy (STACC), FUTO, to mark his assumption of office as the 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University.

The well-attended Mass was celebrated by the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, accompanied by his Auxiliary, Most Rev. Dr. Moses Chikwe, and other priests.

Addressing the congregation, the visibly elated Vice-Chancellor thanked God for his appointment and reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive leadership and institutional progress. Reflecting on his journey to office, Prof. Dozie recalled his unsuccessful bid for the position in 2021 and described his emergence five years later as a demonstration of divine timing and purpose.

“It is indeed the will of God that I became the Vice-Chancellor of this great University at this time.”

Prof. Dozie urged staff members, students, governing authorities, alumni, and friends of the University to work together with his administration in advancing the goals of the institution.

A symbolic highlight of the Mass was the presentation of copies of the Vice-Chancellor’s administrative blueprint to the Archbishop and priests, with a request for prayers and spiritual support towards the successful implementation of his vision for FUTO.

Earlier in his homily, Archbishop Ugorji, speaking on the day’s reading from the Book of Prophet Jeremiah, admonished Christians to remain steadfast in faith despite challenges. He called on the University community to support the new Vice-Chancellor to take FUTO to greater heights.

Prof. Dozie attended the Mass alongside his wife, Dr. Mrs. Chinomso P. Dozie, and their children. Also in attendance were Principal Officers of the University, members of the University’s 13th Governing Council, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments and Units, other staff members, and students.

The event attracted former Vice-Chancellors of FUTO including Prof. Mrs. Nnenna N. Oti, Prof. F.C. Eze, and Prof. J.E. Njoku, as well as former Chaplains of STACC and other well-wishers.

The Thanksgiving Mass was enriched by soul-lifting renditions from the students’ choir, while guests were later treated to a reception at the Prof. Celestine Onwuliri International Conference Centre.