The unveiling of the memoir: Transforming Vision To Reality”:’The Memoir of the Vice Chancellor on Wednesday
By Samuel Ogude
The outgoing Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun Uvwie Local Government Area, Engr. Prof Akpofure Rim-Rukeh said the just unveiled memoir is a veritable tool for every administrator especially those aspiring to be University Vice Chancellor in any part of the country and beyond.
Engr. Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh stated this at the unveiling of his Memoir titled:” Transforming Vision To Reality”:’The Memoir of the Vice Chancellor’ which was showcased at Jubilee Conference Centre, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area on Wednesday. According to him, many of those who want to become Vice Chancellor if not now but the nearest future would find the book as a treasure. He said, the book is written is simple language and easy to understand as it captures his experience of his single five years tenure in Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun and therefore urged all and sundry to have a copy of the book to experience its benefits.
L-R: The outgoing FUPRE VC, Engr. Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh and Incoming FUPRE VC, Prof Ezekiel Agbalagba during the unveiling of the book on Wednesday
His words:” The memoir is a simple one, it is typically my experience – testimony of what transpired – as Vice Chancellor in the last five years in the Federal University of Petroleum Resources from May 4, 2020 to May 2nd, 2025. When they have the copy of the book, and go through, they will surely get information that will help them to be good administrators. I recommend the book for every administrator and anybody who aspires to be Vice Chancellor in the University, if not now, near future”.
The outgoing Vice Chancellor expressed gratitude principal officers of the institution for their support throughout his tenure adding, they did not only attend the programme for day but contributed to his life by joining others to launch his book. Prof.Akpofure Rim-Rukeh also expressed gratitude for those, despite their busy schedule, were able to make out time to grace the occasion just as he thanked those who were able to, despite the harsh economy of Nigeria, launch the book and therefore wished them abundant God’s blessings.
L-R:The outgoing FUPRE VC, Engr. Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh(4th) and well wishers during the unveiling of the book on Wednesday
His words:” l express my heartfelt gratitude to the principal officers of this great institution for your support, you have done well. I also thank all those who were able to make out time to grace the occasion, May God bless you all”.
Earlier, in the memoir review, the Reviewer, Prof.Sunny Awhefeada, Dean of Postgraduate School, Delta State University Abraka, said, Engr. Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh as a fourth substantive Vice Chancellor of Africa first and probably only Petroleum University, has been able to reveal in reverting manner the inspiring and edifying story of his humble beginning to this level which he is today.
According to him, the book is written chronologically in simple language and easy style for readers adding, since every memoir is history based, Engr.Prof Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, though, an Engineer, has become FUPRE’s first historian as has shown in the book.According to him, the author has informed the public how he transformed his vision to reality adding, the book shows how the Vice Chancellor introduced reforms through his ideology which has reflected in innovation, staff and students to embrace the kind of attitude that would drive modern Universities.
His words:” Under Engr. Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh stewardship, FUPRE embarked on the quest for internationalization, collaboration, visibility and partnership of global University ranking. The number of grants, fellowship, innovation and patents by staff and students of FUPRE is enormous”.
According to him, his tenure has been inspiring and showcasing the institution as a bridge head in technological advancement which has given rise to many awards won by the Vice Chancellor. Prof. Awhefeada however said, the tenure of Engr. Prof Akpofure Rim-Rukeh faced many challenges which are not peculiar to only FUTURE but University System in Nigeria. According to him, in the book, the author categorised the structure of University System and detailed the work of the National University Commission( NUC). He said, the author of the book, admitted himself into the University’s narrative which made him popular as he lays the academic foundation of the institution.
L-R: In Row- Incoming FUPRE VC, Prof. Ezekiel Agbalagba (2nd) and others during the unveiling of the book on Wednesday
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Brodericks Arigbodi said the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Engr. Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh has been able to add value to the University in teaching, learning and research in his tenure. The Chairman who was represented by Hon. Onoriode Arigbodi said:” Today is marvelous. It is the day the Lord has made.We thank God for the Vice Chancellor for all he has been doing. He is able to lift the of the school standards to an enviable height, he has done wonderfully well”.The Chairman therefore thanked everyone to have graced the ceremony and wished all a happy day.
In a vote of thanks, the wife of the Vice Chancellor, Mrs Mercy Akpofure Rim-Rukeh expressed gratitude to all that graced the occasion and wished everyone a happy and safe journey home.The programme which was gracefully attended by dignitaries from all walks of life climaxed with the launch of the memoir.