It was an epoch making event in Abia,as the former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University,Prof Eleazer Uche Ikonne,was honoured in a grand civic reception, for his excellent services as the VC of the school,from 2015 to 2020.
The Reception which was organized by the people of the Ukwa- Ngwa extraction,was held at the Ngwa High School,Aba, with top government functionaries, including the Governor of the State,Dr Okezie Ikpeazu,his Deputy,Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, former Deputy Governor of the State,Rt Hon Eric Acho Nwakanma,members of the state House of Assembly,both past and present,former commissioners, political appointees, Clergymen, traditional rulers and other notable sons and daughters of the Ukwa- Ngwa extraction,were in attendance.
Speaking with newsmen,the Chairman on the occasion,Rt Hon Eric Acho Nwakanma,said the Ukwa-Ngwa extraction,decided to honour the ex ABSU VC for his astute performance and excellent service delivery while serving as the first vice chancellor of Ukwa-Ngwa extraction.
Nwakanma described him as a worthy ambassador of the state, saying that the reception in his honour was simply a way of appreciating him for putting the state university in the world map.
He said the reception is not exceptional to Prof Ikonne alone,as it is the tradition of Ukwa-Ngwa people to appreciate hardwork.
The former Deputy Governor stated that the ex VC deserves a pat on the back,for setting a template that gave the school a positive turnaround, moving the school from 93rd position to 27th in the ranking of Universities across the country and 2nd best in the comity of State Universities.
The Chairman Central Planning Committee,Chief Okey Ahiwe, stated that Prof Ikonne was able to clean up the rot in the Abia State University, giving it an international recognition.
Ahiwe stated that the contributions of Prof Ikonne was quite exceptional,hence the decision to appreciate him, so he can do more when given other responsibilities.He called on the new vice chancellor of the school to build on the solid foundation laid by Prof Ikonne.
A former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and a former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly,Rt Hon Christopher Enweremadu, expressed delight over the outstanding performance of Prof Ikonne,while he was the vice chancellor of ABSU.
According to Enweremadu,Ikonne’s efforts in making ABSU one of the best universities in Nigeria was commendable, adding that the reception organized in his honour was to encouragef him to do more when given another opportunity,as well as be a reminder to those holding public positions that there are rewards for selfless service.
The member representing Obingwa West State Constituency in ABHA,Hon Thomas Nkoro,said the ex VC was able to set a standard that the students leveraged on to excel, pushing the university a step further.
The former Accountant General of the state,chief Gabriel Onyendilefu,said the performance of the past ABSU VC,shows that the people of Ukwa-Ngwa extraction are honest people.
From his monumental achievements,Onyendilefu maintained that the VC would do well in politics,as a man with good conscience.
The Chairman of the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, (ASOPADEC),Chief Sam Nwogu,expressed pleasure over the performance of the VC.
According to him,the tenure of Prof Ikonne brought about regular payment of staff salaries, infrastructural development,as well as the decentralization of the school system,an idea that gave rural dwellers access to tertiary education.
Nwogu enjoined him to sustain the standard he had set for himself,so that he can also deliver when given bigger positions in the future.
Similarly,a former commissioner for Housing and Transport,Hon Toni Ururuka and a former Chairman of ASOPADEC,Rt.Hon Emeka Stanley, congratulated the VC for setting the pace for others, saying that the Ukwa-Ngwa nation is proud to have a personality like him.
Hon Ururuka commended the VC for delivering on the ABSU mandate, wishing him succes in his future endeavors.
Rt Hon Stanley stated that he loves partnering with progress,as well successful legends, adding that Prof Ikonne is a worthy recipient of his belief,a scholar that has the right knowledge and ability of getting what he wants.
Also, the Director General Nsulu Vanguard, dr Ogbonna Ehiemere,praised Prof Uche Ikonne over the high record of achievements witnessed in the school,applauding him for setting up a template in the school that enhanced staff, students welfare.
The event further featured the conferment of a Chieftaincy title of ‘Ugo Ocha’ on the Ex ABSU VC by traditional rulers of Ukwa-Ngwa and the Unveiling of the Book ‘Divine Mandate: Our Story Changed’, written by Erudite Professors and Doctors.
Recall that the Ukwa-Ngwa is an ethnic nationality, comprising of nine Local Government Areas ofAbia State,namely,Isialangwa North,Isialangwa South,Osisioma,Aba North,Aba South,Ugwunnagbo,Obingwa,Ukwa East,Ukwa West.This bloc produced the present Governor of Abia state.
