By Polycarp Onwubiko
The Faculty of Management Sciences at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) hosted the "2023 Alumni Homecoming, Award Presentation, and Endowment" event at the ASUU-NAU Secretariat in Awka, Anambra state, on Friday, October 20, 2023.
This prestigious occasion was graced by a lineup of distinguished individuals, including Vice Chancellor Prof. Charles O. Esimone, who served as Chief Host, and Prince Arthur Eze, among others.
In his Welcome Address, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. PVC Okoye, expressed his delight at the overwhelming turnout for this unique event. He highlighted the pivotal role that alumni play in inspiring and supporting current students. The theme of the event, "ALUMNI: THE NUCLEUS OF UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT," underscored the central importance of alumni in the growth of the university and their contribution to academic and societal progress.
Dr. Uche Nworah, the former Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service and Chairman of the Editorial Board at DAILY TIMES, delivered the Alumni Special Lecture on the topic "Alumni: The Nucleus of University Development; Leveraging the Global Power of Alumni." Dr. Nworah emphasized the need for increased funding in the education sector and called for alumni to support their educational institutions. He shared examples of alumni contributions to secondary schools and stressed the enduring importance of alumni in university development.
Dr. Nworah recommended fostering passion among alumni and encouraging their engagement with universities. He urged educational institutions to adopt advanced technologies such as websites, databases, and monitoring systems to support students' post-graduation journeys. He also encouraged the establishment of sustainable Endowment Funds to enhance infrastructure and inspire student affection.
Following the alumni lecture, Dr. Michael Kasachi Enyinnaya received an Honorary Doctorate Degree, and over fifty alumni were honored with Awards for Excellence and Human Capital Development. These awardees pledged to collaborate with other faculties to meet the infrastructural needs of the university.
The event also included discussions on the imperative of adequate funding for higher education institutions in Nigeria and the call for restructuring governance to achieve true fiscal federalism. Prof. Denis Chinedum Amobi emphasized the importance of increasing budgetary provisions for education, as recommended by UNESCO.
Dr. Michael Kasarachi Enyinna, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fundvive Group, Lagos, expressed concerns about the underfunding of the education sector and reiterated the importance of establishing endowment funds. The Deputy Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr. Jude Akpua, commended the federal government for its governance efforts, particularly the provision of free education for primary and junior secondary school students.
In his position, Sir Arinze Obasi, a pioneer of the Faculty of Management Sciences and second president of Business Administration, praised the alumni for their active participation in the 2023 Alumni Homecoming event. He emphasized the critical role of alumni in supporting the sustainable growth of NAU and highlighted the challenges of insufficient funding from the federal government.
The event concluded with generous financial donations from alumni, including free medical treatment. The Chairman of the occasion, Senator Ifeanyi Uba, represented by Hon. Augustine Onyekachukwu Ike, a member of the House of Assembly, Nnewi North, made a donation of one million naira.
Mr. Onwubiko, an author and public policy analyst,
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