THE NEW ALVAN IKOKU PROVOST, DR. STELLA LEMCHI, A ROUND PEG IN A ROUND HOLE

By Kelechi Uzomah, 08064075316

The appointment of Dr. Stella Ngozi Lemchi as the Provost of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education has shown that the citadel of learning is moving to the right direction because the new Provost has proven beyond every reasonable doubt to be a woman of impeccable character and result oriented.

The very woman of the moment has shown through actions and inactions that she is truly the best person to head the affairs of students in the institution. 

For the less than few months she has been at the saddle, the approach has been that of pragmatism and dynamism towards ensuring the welfare of the students.

This is no doubt why they said that a golden fish has no hiding place. Dr. Stella Ngozi Lemchi has demonstrated her willingness and eagerness to change the narrative in Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education thereby creating a conducive environment for learning.

She has shown capacity and the students are full of gratitude for her appointment because they believes in her ability to turn things around and improve on the already laid down foundation of the school.

Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Ngozi Lemchi holds PhD in Home Economics Education from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, M.Ed Home Economics (UNN), and B. Sc Home Science and Nutrition from UNN. She attended the Federal Government College, Okigwe between 1981 – 1986 where she studied on a Federal Government scholarship.

It will interest you to know that Dr.(Mrs.) Stella Lemchi was the Deputy Provost of the College prior to her appointment. Before that, she had served as the Head of the Department of Home Economics from 2011 to 2015 and the Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship from 2015-2019. As a Home Economist, her main areas of interest include entrepreneurship, promotion of skill acquisition and curriculum development. Over the years, she has served on many College Committees most recently as Chairman of the 27th Convocation committee. Others include College Research Committee, Quality Assurance Committee and Academic Board Business Committee. She is a member of the Alvan Volunteer Corps.  She has served as resource person severally to such bodies as United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and Gender and child Rights Organisation (GCRI) (a non-governmental organisation).  Lemchi is a member of several professional organisations including Home Economics Research Association of Nigeria (HERAN), Curriculum Organisation of Nigeria (CON), Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) and International Research and Development Institute (IRDI).

Dr Stella Lemchi is an accomplished academic with over 70 publications, in both national and international journals.

She is currently the Vice-Presdent for Africa region, International Federation of Home Economics (IFHE)

Dr. (Mrs) Stella N. Lemchi hails from Ehime Mbano LGA, Imo State. She is married to Professor Jones Lemchi and they are blessed with wonderful and amazing children.

A product of University of Nigeria Nsukka, Dr. Lemchi sterling leadership qualities has endeared her to many in the college who now see her as not just a role model but a case study both in the field of Economic and administration.

It is an obvious fact that the story of Dr. Mrs. Stella Ngozi Lemchi has persistently remained a reference point among students of University of Nigeria Nsukka where the then young Lemchi was schooled before she was employed by the Alvan Ikeokwu college and she has continued to enjoy the support of fellow teachers and students alike.

The Ehime Mbano born academia and humanitarian has shown that she is the ideal person to head the college given the obvious fact that she is a woman endowed with wisdom and knowledge to restore normalcy back to the institution and she knows too well that the students and non academic staffare not to be handled with iron hand hence her friendly approach to student's issues has paid off greatly and instantly within the few months in office as the Provost.

She is humble, honest, sincere and would always pursue agenda and programmes that is of good interest to the students and staff, even before her elevation as the Provost.

This accounts for the close and cordial relationship she enjoys with the students, unlike his predecessors who made themselves inaccessible for the students. Dr. Mrs. Stella Ngozi Lemchi no doubt, is a team player who believes so much in team work and this is evident in the manner she has worked with other deans and heads of departments to promote the ideals of the college. 

The college is now singing a new song because the woman who understands the body language of the students, deans and head of departments is handling the affairs right now.

The former Deputy Provost of the college will soon make history as she has returned the glory days of the college back within this few one or two months of her stay as the Provost.

The woman who started her journey in the academic world as a home Economics teacher believes that graduating and mobilizing students immediately they are ready and due for service will create a good image of the college and restore lost public confidence. 

She will completely bring out the best in the students and with the same approach she used to do wonders as the former Dean and Deputy Provost respectively.

 This is why I took the bold step to commend the college for appointing her as the Provost of the college and within the short period of her appointment, the students has discovered that the right woman is incharge.

It is based on this available evidence that I sincerely applaud the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu for appointing Dr. Stella Ngozi Lemchi as the new Provost of Alvan Ikoku Federal college of Education. 

Kelechi Uzomah is a practising journalist and a public affairs analyst based in Imo State.