Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has challenged the management of Abia State University to readjust her academic curriculum to enable it provide solutions to the present obstacles in the society.
Governor Ikpeazu gave the challenge during the combined 27th and 28th convocation of ABSU, told the graduates that their certificates are not meal ticket, not minding that the University has found them worthy in character and learning.
Governor Ikpeazu charged the faculty of agriculture to seek for alternative ways of providing livestock that will solve the problem of meat demand in the south east, to end farmers herders clash because of the movement of cows and demand for cow meat. He also charged them to invest more on other agricultural products to assist address the challenges of food insecurity.
While congratulating the graduates, the Abia state Chief executive also reminded them that they require commitment and sincerity to excel in their chosen carrer, as well urged them to remain good ambassadors of their families, as well as their Alma Mater.
According to Ikpeazu, the economy of Nigeria is not longer friendly where every state government will return from Abuja with little fund to argument state IGR, therefore, he urged the lecturers to bear with the management for he will not disappoint them, as issues concerning their welfare also bothers him to settle.
Earlier before the convocation procession to ABSU pavilion, Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu commissioned a postgraduate hostel built and donated to ABSU management by Zenith Environmental and Social Protection Network, (ZESPRONET) a non-governmental organization and Alumnus of Abia State University, Uturu.
Governor Ikpeazu while performing the ceremony commended ZESPRONET for given back to their Alma Mater and called on other Alumni Association of ABSU to borrow a leave from the group.
ZESPRONET National President, Okere Bidwell in his speech said they would embark on more projects in addition to the forty four rooms hostel.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the project was commissioned by the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, and handed over to the School during the combined 27th and 28th convocation ceremony of ABSU, the International President, Dr Boris Chukwuemeka Oji represented by the National President of the group, Sir Okere Bidwell, said the project which the body embarked upon in 2019 when Prof. Uche Ikonne was the Vice Chancellor of the institution was birthed to ameliorate the accommodation problems faced by Postgraduate students.
According to Bidwell, the hostel would be maintained and managed by ABSU management, noting that it is their wish to meet the hostel in good condition anytime they visited the institution.
In the same vein, the Chancellor of Abia State University, His Royal Majesty, Begha U Tiv Orcivirigh Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, Tor Tiv, Chairman, Benue state council of traditional rulers, and the Pro Phancellor of ABSU, Senator Adolphus Wabara urged Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to sustain his efforts to maintain the academic calendar of the Institution.
Prof James and Gov Ikpeazu
They eulogized governor Ikpeazu for encouraging his officials to take more academic degrees including the first lady, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu who bagged doctor of philosophy in management.
The Chancellor and Pro Chancellor commended the university staff for cooperating with the management on issues of monthly emolument and encouraged them not to loose patient
Senator Wabara
Meanwhile the Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Professor Maxwell Onyemachi Ogbulu said the overall best graduating students in the various sessions on the 27th convocation, Ezigbo Chukwuemeka with first class, from the department of Architecture and 28th convocation, Dike Emmanuel first class, from the department of Biochemistry have been offered automatic employment as academic staff of the University.
He opined that the convocation ceremony was unique because it was a combination of both the 27th and 28th ceremonies due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professor Ogbulu recognized the enormous assistance of ABSU Alumni Association to the University especially the completion of a post graduate hostel by Zenith social environmental and protection network, ZESPRONET.
According to Ogbulu, his administrations mission statement encapsulated in the slogan, “let the change continue” is to sustain and elevate the positive change of the previous administration to a new level.
He however promised that his administration will adopt the time tested business model in driving the affairs of Abia State University Uturu. Ogbulu stated that this requires creating and expending value for their staff and students and other stakeholders, with a comprehensive plan for financial independence, which involves identifying and harnessing resources and installing key processes and procedures of University in the 21st century.
In a short exaltation, on the topic, “Do not worry, today’s trouble is enough for today”, the Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Isukwuato-Umunneochi, Abia State, Nigeria, Rt Reverend Manasses Okere urged the people not to worry but present their challenges to God.
National Watch reports that the combined convocation featured the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees, Honoris Causa to Dame Gladys Nwafor as in public administration, and Engineer Nnamdi Ezigbo.
