Prof Stella Chinye Chiemeke,
By Igbotako Nowinta
Plans are underway for the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) to honour the Vice Chancellor of University of Delta, Agbor, Prof Stella Chinye Chiemeke, in recognition of what it described as her transformative leadership and remarkable developmental strides in the last five years. This was made known during a courtesy visit by an APWEN delegation to the Vice Chancellor’s office on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The delegation formally informed Prof. Chiemeke of its intention to celebrate her achievements at a presentation ceremony scheduled for March 20, 2026.
APWEN Chairman, Engr. Dr. Mrs. Stella Emecheta, who led the delegation, commended the Vice Chancellor’s performance in office, stating that, her tenure has not only ushered in unprecedented growth but has repositioned the University for greater excellence. According to Engr. Emecheta, Prof. Chiemeke’s positive and purposeful leadership has significantly transformed the fortunes of UNIDEL, strengthening its academic standing and institutional development.
While appealing for the Vice Chancellor to make herself available for the forthcoming ceremony, Engr. Emecheta, described the honour as a well-deserved recognition of her impactful stewardship. According to her, the planned honour underscores APWEN’s commitment to celebrating excellence in leadership and strengthening partnerships that advance engineering education and institutional development in Nigeria. In her response, Prof. Chiemeke expressed deep appreciation for the gesture, describing herself as humbled by the commendation.
She congratulated the APWEN leadership and, on behalf of the university’s Management, staff and students, thanked the Association for acknowledging her efforts in advancing the institution. The Vice Chancellor also lauded APWEN’s longstanding commitment to nurturing engineering students, particularly at UNIDEL. She noted that she had long admired the Association’s pragmatic and insightful initiatives, especially, its role in grooming students toward professionalism and excellence in engineering practice.
Prof. Chiemeke further used the occasion to encourage 500-level undergraduate students of the University to position themselves as future ambassadors of the Association, urging them to embrace professionalism, leadership and service as they prepare to enter the workforce. The planned honour underscores APWEN’s commitment to celebrating excellence in leadership and strengthening partnerships that advance engineering education and institutional development in Nigeria.
The APWEN delegation included Engr. Osunde Ikechukwu, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Energy; Engr. Ijeoma Ehiwario, Chief Elect-Elect, Ministry of Energy; Engr. Nwabudike Patricia, Engr. Vielose Oboye, Engr. Wilson Owedo, a private practitioner; and Doris Onwena of the Sapele Chapter. Senior University officials present at the meeting were the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Patrick Ijeh, and the University Librarian, Dr. Vera Okonoko
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(By Igbotako Nowinta (Assistant Registrar, Media and Protocol Unit, UNIDEL)