Award-Winning Alumnus Oji Chukwuemeka Hails VC Prof. Kate A. Omenugha’s Transformative Plans

By Ijeoma Udodi

Abuja, Nigeria – As Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, the newly confirmed Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), concludes a strategic visit to Abuja to attract private sector investment, one of the university’s most distinguished alumni has issued a powerful commendation, framing her mission as critical to Africa’s sustainable future.

Rotarian Oji Chukwuemeka Donoji, award-winning serial entrepreneur, an advocate for green interior design, and a proud product of COOU, has publicly celebrated Prof. Omenugha’s confirmation as substantive Vice Chancellor. In his message, Donoji directly links the VC’s vision for partnership to his own success and the urgent need for sustainable development in African education.

“The government cannot carry the burden of education alone. Professor Omenugha’s mission to Abuja is not just administrative; it is revolutionary,” stated Donoji, whose ventures in sustainable design have earned him international recognition. “She understands that to build world-class institutions, we must harness the innovation, efficiency, and forward-thinking ethos of the private sector. This is the exact blueprint that built me as an entrepreneur.”

Donoji’s congratulatory note transcends mere praise; it serves as a compelling case study. He credits the foundational education and values instilled at COOU (then Anambra State University) in the Department of Architecture, BSc. MSc. as the bedrock upon which he built his serial entrepreneurial ventures. His work now focuses on encouraging youths in Africa to understand investment and financial literacy and harnessing Green Interior Design to create sustainable living and working environments across Africa.

“My journey in sustainable entrepreneurship began in the lecture halls of COOU,” Donoji reflected. “The university didn’t just teach me theory; it equipped me with the resilience and problem-solving mindset needed to succeed. The VC’s current drive to ‘promote COOU to the world’ and attract investment is the essential next step—it ensures today’s students have even greater tools to become tomorrow’s innovators.”

He emphasised that Prof. Omenugha’s focus on “academic excellence, digital innovation, and global visibility” aligns perfectly with the demands of the 21st-century economy, particularly in fields like sustainable technology and green design.

“As an advocate for educational advancement in Africa, I see the VC’s strategy as a masterclass in institution building. By inviting the private sector to invest, we are not just funding buildings; we are investing in ecosystems of innovation. We are creating partnerships where my industry—green design—can collaborate with the university on research, curriculum development, and practical solutions for a sustainable environment,” Donoji added.

Rotarian Donoji concluded his message with a call to action to fellow alumni and the private sector: “Professor Omenugha has laid the groundwork. She has shown visionary leadership first as Commissioner for Basic Education, then as Acting VC, and now substantively. It is our turn to answer her call. Let us partner with her to elevate our alma mater into a global powerhouse of sustainable innovation and academic excellence. The school built us; now is our time to help build it.”

​Donoji also extended his gratitude to the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, and his administration for their visionary decision in confirming Professor Omenugha. “Governor Soludo’s commitment to technocratic excellence is clear. By backing a leader of Professor Omenugha’s caliber, he has positioned Anambra State, and indeed Nigeria, at the forefront of educational innovation in Africa.”

About Rotarian Oji Chukwuemeka Donoji:
Oji Chukwuemeka Donoji is an award-winning serial entrepreneur and Rotarian, renowned for his pioneering work in promoting Green Interior Design across Africa. A passionate advocate for educational advancement, he is a distinguished alumnus of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU). His ventures demonstrate a commitment to merging profitability with environmental sustainability and social impact.

About Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha:
Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, fnipr, is the fifth and first female Substantive Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. Confirmed by Governor Charles Soludo in August 2025, she previously served as the Commissioner for Basic Education in Anambra State. She is widely recognized for her transformative leadership focused on academic excellence, staff development, and forging strategic global partnerships.