SUG ELECTION: EVEN AT GUNPOINT, I CAN’T COMPROMISE MY INTEGRITY — PROF. OMENUGHA

The Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, FNIPR, has reaffirmed her resolute commitment to integrity, transparency, and ethical leadership, declaring that no amount of pressure can make her compromise her principles. She made this known while addressing students, staff, and election observers at the Situation Room during the Students’ Union Government (SUG) election held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

Her remarks came in response to speculations that emerged following technical glitches experienced during the online voting process. While some students had alleged that the disruptions were deliberate and orchestrated to influence the outcome of the election, the Vice-Chancellor dismissed such claims, insisting that the challenges were purely technical and not a result of any interference by the university management. She emphasized that her administration remains firmly committed to ensuring fairness and transparency in all its dealings.

Addressing the concerns, Prof. Omenugha stated categorically, “There is what we call integrity, and I have that, and I make no apologies for it.” She further declared, “Even at gunpoint, I can’t compromise my integrity,” stressing that her values and principles have guided her throughout her public service career. According to her, integrity remains one of the greatest assets a leader can possess, especially when entrusted with responsibilities that affect the lives of others.

The Vice-Chancellor recalled her tenure as Commissioner for Education in Anambra State, recounting how some individuals had attempted to influence examination and admission processes by requesting special favours for candidates who neither sat for examinations nor met the required standards. She noted that despite intense pressure from influential quarters, including some lawmakers, she stood her ground and refused to compromise established procedures. Her refusal, she said, earned her a reputation for being rigid, but she remains proud of that decision because it was rooted in fairness and justice.

Prof. Omenugha concluded by charging student leaders and aspiring leaders to embrace integrity as a way of life. She urged them to resist the temptation of cutting corners or seeking unfair advantages, noting that leadership without integrity ultimately loses its value. According to her, the true measure of a leader is not the position occupied but the principles upheld, adding that the university will continue to promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct in line with its vision as the Now University and of the Future.

©️COOUNewS, 2026