By Chinwendu Uzoatu
It was Steve Jobs who said: “If you really look closely, most overnight successes take a long time.” This indeed is the case at hand, as Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, at her 17th convocation ceremony, presented the Pioneer University Hall-of-Fame Award to some personalities who have been of great support to the institution.
In his address, the UNIZIK Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone, FAS expressed that the awardees are people of great value to the institution.
He said: “We are formally launching Hall-of-Fame with these few people. They are special persons who have partnered with us. It is in recognition of their active contributions to the family. They are now part of the family. They are making commitments; they love us. These people are also our ambassadors. A very novel high position we are inducting them today. Hall-of-Fame is going to be an annual affair. This is the pioneer.”
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Meshach Nnama Umenweke stated: “Today, we make history as we inaugurate and commence the admission of deserving persons into the UNIZIK Hall of-Fame. We commend and thank the Vice Chancellor and the university management for the institution of this noble, inspiring, and long-overdue project. Today, all the awardees have become partners-in-progress and friends of UNIZIK.”
For the Coordinator, Fund Raising/Hall-of-Fame Committee, Engr Dr Paul Chukwulozie Okolie, “Today marks a historic moment as we induct our University Pioneer Hall-of-Fame members, a celebration designed to honour, appreciate, and inspire a renewed spirit of philanthropy for the continued growth of our university. The awards given today are not mere tokens; they are tributes to the architects of our past, whose visionary contributions have paved the way for transformative experiences for countless staff and students of our cherished university of the moment.”
The Chairperson Fundraising/Hall-of-Fame Committee, Rev Sr. Dr Adaoma E. Igwedibia said that the day marked a very significant event in the annals of UNIZIK history.
“It is a thing of joy that we gather here today to witness one of the visions of our beloved Vice Chancellor in making Nnamdi Azikiwe University visible in the world of academia. It is a day mapped out to honour, recognise and award those who have in one way or the other contributed to our Vice Chancellor’s vision of Project 200.”
Chairman, Senate Ceremonials, Prof. Nnamdi Chiedu Onuora-Oguno (KSC), congratulated all the awardees who made it into the Hall-of-Fame.
“Today, you are being recognised because you have partnered with the fastest-growing university in Sub-Saharan Africa. A university named after arguably one of the greatest Nigerians, the Rt. Hon. Nnamdi Azikiwe – the late Owelle Osowanya of “Onicha Ado N’Idu.”
The awardees are:
Valentine Ozigbo,
Senator Uche Ekwunife, High Chief (Dr.) Christopher Ndubuisi of Umuawulu,
Amb. Okpalajiaku Obiora Sunday of Nkpologwu, Chief Sir Azubuike Umunna, Mayor for World Peace, Engr. Dr. Kizito Nnamdi Onunkwo, Ozo Ignatius Aguowo,
Mr Onyekwelu Okoye, the pioneer President of Accountancy Class of ’96, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Mr Dominic Ottih, Mr Stephano N. Uzokwe; a proficient mechanical, oil and gas engineer turned entrepreneur,
Ozo Nwakibie Valentine Uzochukwu, philanthropist and businessman, Dr. Afam Ben Obidike, Commissioner for Health, Anambra State,
Mr Ekweoba Arnold Chukwuebuka, philanthropist and lover of education, Chief Matthew Ikeduba Umeohanekwulu, philanthropist and lover of education,
Engr (Dr.) Okoye Chidozie Alex of Alor, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Pius Okoye, Deputy Speaker, Anambra sttate House of Assembly,
Engr. Dr. Felix Chinedu Odumegwu, Commissioner for Environment, Anambra State and Engr Chiekelue Edward Ochiagha, philanthropist, community leader and youth ambassador.
Others are Chief Dr Ishmael Emeka Udenka, CEO of Udenka Investments and Lolo Francisca Oluchukwu Ibeh, erudite scholar and business mogul.
