Rev Fr Pius Chibuike Nwauzor Ph.D in academic gown (middle) with family members, parishioners, friends and well-wishers who were in Owerri the Imo State capital to celebrate his academic achievement on Saturday
By NewsBits
The Parish Priest of St Gregory Parish, Umuhu, Okwuato in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Rev Fr Pius Chibuike Nwauzor Ph.D, was on Saturday honoured with a doctorate degree certificate, which he earned from the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri.
NewsBits learnt that no less than 5000 graduands comprising first degrees graduates, post graduate diplomas, higher degrees including Rev Fr Pius Chibuike Nwauzor Ph.D, and honorary degrees from 2014 – 2015 set up to 2021 – 2022 set, which produced 30 first class graduates were convoked by the high institution at the weekend.
Recall that the university system in the country is constantly interrupted by strike actions that are occasioned by salary and compensation disagreements between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). For instance, in 2022 alone, ASUU strike lasted for over eight months. These sort of distortions affects the academic calendar of government-owned universities in Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Chukwumaeze (right) decorating Hope Uzodimma with a ceremonial academic gown
Hope Uzodimma, the Imo State governor said that his administration will do all that is needful to help the Imo State University, Owerri, fulfil noble expectation of rising to the challenge of assuming greater responsibility to move the State forward. The Governor spoke in his capacity as the Visitor of Imo State University during the 8th Convocation Ceremony, which held at the Convocation Ground in Owerri.
In congratulating the graduands and their families, Uzodimma charged them to be true ambassadors of the University, being responsible enough to keep the light that had been enkindled in them in the institution ever burning. He said, “Go forth and illuminate new paths, for Nigeria, for Imo State, for the Imo State University and for your respective families. Remember that Imo people are looking up to you to be good ambassadors. You must not fail them.”
Earlier in their different remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Chukwumaeze, thanked the governor for all the support his administration had extended to the University. “With a heart filled with joy, I welcome you, Your Excellency, to the University’s convocation arena. I also use this opportunity to underscore your repeated demonstration beyond mere words of how close this University is to your heart. Your abiding interest in the affairs of the University, your generous funding of its projects even in the face and defiance of the downturn in the world economy; your regular payment of salaries and many other sundry gestures aimed at transforming Imo State University to a world class university are dearly appreciated.”
On his part, the Pro-Chancellor of the University, Chief Ernest Nwapa recalled that Imo State Government is one of only a few proprietors of public universities that consistently paid staff salaries during the eight-month long strike of university- based unions in Nigeria, noting that the credit goes to the Visitor of the University.
Nwapa said his Council, in conjunction with the Visitor, is developing a world class master plan in partnership with the Alumni and public-spirited individuals to reposition the University for Academic Excellence in line with the world best practices.
Among the dignitaries who attended the occasion were the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof Placid Njoku, Minister of State, Education, Rt. Hon.Goodluck Opia, the Minister of State, Mines, Chief Ikoh, former Governor of Imo State, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu, Chief of Staff to Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, hign ranking monarchs led by Eze Imo, HRM E C Okeke, among others.
The Imo State University (IMSU) was established in 1981 through law No. 4 passed by the Imo State House of Assembly. Established with the vision of pursuing the advancement of learning and academic excellence, the university has been unrelenting in the pursuit of its mission of becoming a citadel of learning, a community with the trademark of excellence in teaching, research and service to humanity, a catalyst as well as an agent for development.
