RSU Honours Outgoing DVC Victor Akujuru, Hails His Legacy of Discipline, Service

Rivers State University (RSU) community came together on Thursday, July 17, 2025 in a colourful ceremony to celebrate the end of tenure of Professor Victor Akujuru, the outgoing Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, describing him as a bold, principled, and focused leader whose contributions have left a lasting imprint on the institution.

The event, which was marked by music, dance, laughter and tributes, held at the university campus in Port Harcourt and drew staff, faculty members and well-wishers who poured out goodwill messages in honour of the man many described as “a blunt administrator with a deep commitment to due process and discipline.”

In his goodwill message, Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Isaac Zep-Obipi, commended Professor Akujuru for his dedication to leadership and his unwavering commitment to the university’s growth and governance.

“Our DVC Admin has a high sense of humour and the ability to create an environment where you’ll laugh and laugh, in management, he provides unique and successful leadership. Despite having served in this position before me, there’s never been a time he didn’t support with commitment and focus.”

Professor Zep-Obipi praised the outgoing DVC as a rare breed in academic leadership.

“He is a man who will tell you the way it is. Such men who will not play to the gallery are rare. Sir, I commend you for that. We want to thank you for your services to this university.”

“By virtue of the university’s laws, your time has come to an end. But you’ll still be with us infor a long time. I thank my predecessor who had the eagle eye to spot this Iroko, a man who has all the virtues for loyalty, for professionalism, discipline, timeliness, supportiveness. On behalf of all of us, we say thank you for serving the university, and God bless you mightily.”

The Registrar of the university, Professor Ibimonia Harry, also delivered a heartfelt tribute, describing Professor Akujuru as more than a colleague, a mentor and friend.

“I have a lot to say about my friend and colleague. He has been in business and in academics, so he has a lot of knowledge, he is a no-nonsense person. From a distance, you will know he is a disciplinarian. When matters arise, he first looks at what the law says and speaks to it.”

Professor Harry said Professor Akujuru will be difficult to replace, noting that, “You cannot fault him in that area. I have learnt a lot from him. On behalf of all principal officers, I wish him well and pray that his next assignment brings glory to God.”

In his remarks, Professor Akujuru thanked the university community for the opportunity to serve and reflected on the principles that shaped his tenure.

“My tenure has been helped by my ability to speak the truth, whether to power or to the people affected, being able to tell them where they are going wrong and expecting they will take correction”.

He emphasized the role of administrators in guiding university operations, especially when many staff may not fully understand institutional rules and procedures.

 “Many people are employed to teach or to be administrators, but they may not understand the regulations. The job of an administrator is to call them to order and help them understand university rules.”

Professor Akujuru highlighted one of his key achievements which is establishing a central committee to negotiate rents for on-campus businesses to ensure fairness and proper revenue for the university.

“We don’t want a situation where every office becomes a negotiator, we must centralise such things. Also, our alumni must understand the university has needs. In other places like Akwa Ibom State University or UNILAG, you see structures funded by indigenes to support education. I expect that Rivers people will begin to see the university as their own.”

The ceremony also featured a special musical performance by the RSU campus choir, a colourful dance presentation by students of the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, and a celebratory cutting of cake. Attendees later took to the dance floor to cap off the memorable occasion.

The event did not just mark the end of a tenure, it celebrated a legacy of leadership, truth, discipline, and service to the academic community.