FUTO VC vows to leave university better than he met it

Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Professor Ikechukwu Nosike Dozie, has pledged to transform the institution and leave it better than he met it.

Dozie made the commitment, when he received the Commissioner for Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Henry Okafor, and his delegation during a visit to the university.

The vice-chancellor said FUTO was strategically positioned to partner with the ministry in advancing its mandate, particularly through its strength in academic research, technology and innovation.

He highlighted the university’s expertise in areas, including petroleum engineering, logistics and transport technology, maritime technology, and other related disciplines, saying they can contribute significantly to the development of the oil and gas sector and wider Niger Delta region.

FUTO is ready to explore meaningful areas of collaboration with the ministry, including research and innovation, capacity building, community engagement, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability and conflict prevention, he stated.

Reaffirming the vision of his administration, Dozie said: “Our commitment is to leave FUTO better than we met it.”

He expressed optimism that the visit would mark the beginning of a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial partnership between the university and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

Earlier, Okafor explained that the ministry was responsible for managing relationships between oil companies and their host communities, promoting effective community engagement and fostering peace, stability and sustainable development across the oil- and gas-producing region.

The commissioner described FUTO as a strategic institution within Niger Delta and commended its contributions to technological development.

He also described the university as the best university of technology in Nigeria.