AE-FUNAI Host Communities Reaffirm Support for Prof. Nwachukwu, Pledge Partnership for Peace and Sustained Development

The host communities of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, have pledged their unalloyed support to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Daniel Nwachukwu, citing the need for a peaceful and collaborative environment to drive the university’s growth and development.

The commitment was made on Monday during separate courtesy visits by the leadership of Ndufu-Alike and Ndufu-Echara Autonomous Communities to the University. The delegations were led by Dr. Chibuike Collins, Acting President-General of Ndufu-Alike, and Elder Hon. James Igwe, President-General of Ndufu-Echara.

The visits served to formally congratulate Prof. Nwachukwu on his appointment as the 4th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of AE-FUNAI, and to reaffirm the communities’ resolve to partner with his administration in advancing peace, security, and socio-economic development.

Receiving the delegations, Prof. Nwachukwu expressed appreciation for the goodwill and solidarity extended by the host communities. He described their cooperation as critical to the University’s continued progress.

The Vice-Chancellor reiterated his administration’s commitment to an open-door policy and sustained engagement with recognized community leadership to address mutual concerns proactively.

“AE-FUNAI and its host communities are interdependent. The success of the University must translate to tangible development for Ndufu-Alike, Ndufu-Echara, and the entire Ikwo Noyo clan,” Prof. Nwachukwu stated.

He further reiterated his commitment to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and constructive dialogue, noting that a stable host environment is indispensable for effective teaching, learning, research, and institutional advancement.

The Vice-Chancellor also conveyed the University’s condolences to the Ndufu-Alike community over the passing of its traditional ruler. He assured the community of the University’s solidarity and support during the burial rites.

In his remarks, Dr. Chibuike Collins stated that the progress of AE-FUNAI is a shared responsibility. He noted that the University’s expansion would have a direct positive impact on the social and economic wellbeing of the Ndufu-Alike community and Ikwo Local Government Area at large.

He assured the University Management of the community’s readiness to provide necessary support and to maintain peace and security within the host environment, and called for early and continuous dialogue to prevent misunderstandings and to resolve issues before they escalate.

He further described Prof. Nwachukwu’s appointment as a historic opportunity to strengthen the ancestral ties between Ikwo and Okposi clans, and to deepen town-gown relations.

On his part, Elder Hon. James Igwe of Ndufu-Echara expressed optimism about deeper engagement with the University. He invited the Vice-Chancellor for a reciprocal visit to Ndufu-Echara to enable more robust discussions with the community’s traditional leadership.

Elder Igwe emphasized that sustained dialogue would help both parties to clearly articulate expectations, address concerns arising from the University’s presence, and build greater trust and mutual understanding.

The convergence of the University Management and its host communities signals a renewed commitment to a partnership-driven model of development. Both parties agreed that peace, security, and shared prosperity remain central to the realization of AE-FUNAI’s mandate as a center of academic excellence.

This collaborative posture is expected to strengthen AE-FUNAI’s operating environment and accelerate its contribution to community development.