Nwobodo, others receive honorary doctorate degrees from Ojukwu University

Former governor of old Anambra state, Chief Jim Nwobodo, and two others during the weekend received honorary doctorate degrees from the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam in Anambra state during it’s 8th convocation ceremony.

Nwobodo bagged the honorary doctor of letters (D.Litt), while former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley C, Moghalu, received the honorary doctor of Law (L.L.D), and the former Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Sir Chike Onyejekwe, was awarded the honorary doctor of Science (D.Sc).
The vice chancellor of the university, Prof. Fidelis Okafor, in his address said COOU award honorary doctoral degree purely to people who have contributed immensely to the development of the university, state and the country in general, stating “We don’t award honourary degrees so that the recipient will give money to the university”.

“Prof. Moughalu initiated the construction of the twin CBN female hostels which has helped to solve accommodation problems of students in the university, while Sir Onyejekwe facilitated the construction of the shell ICT building at the university,” he said.

He said that a total of 2,851 students graduated from the university in the 2015/2016 academic session, comprising 2,378 Bachelors degrees, 195 post graduate Diploma, 257masters degrees and 21 Ph.Ds. Giving the details, he said 13 came out in first class, 649 in 2nd class upper and 1,348 had 2nd class lower, while 351 made 3rd class, 17 had pass degree.
Prof. Okafor charged the graduands to be good ambassadors of their alma mater, and register with the COOU Alumni association to ensure active participation in its’ activities.

The vice chancellor reminded them of the challenges of finding ready employment, particularly in this period of economic recession, urging the graduands to “endeavour to engage yourselves in honest and meaningful activities aimed at sustaining yourselves. Realize that no honest job is mean to undertake.”

He said that massive infrastructural development is on going or completed in the three campuses, including the engineering faculty complex completed at Uli campus while the four storey ultra modern research laboratory to be equipped with advanced research facilities in under construction also at Uli, among others at Igbariam campus.

He commended Governor Willie Obiano for releasing funds to tackle major problems like water supply and electricity supply, adding that he has given approval to the construction of a medical centre at Igbariam campus and completion of the abandoned faculty of management science building.

Prof. Okafor specifically requested for the completion of the perimeter fence around the university to ward off menace of herdsmen and their cattle as well as other intruders into the campus, even as he asked for more intervention from government and philanthropists.

In his speech, Governor Obiano restated the values of education, and urged students in tertiary institutions to take their studies with seriousness, adding that government has put in much in the education sector to encourage learning.

He charged the graduands to be role models and be good ambassadors of COOU, stating, “once this ceremony is over, and as you step out into the job market, remember that there will be difficulties and challenges in the world.”

He assured of government continued support to the university to achieve its ambition of becoming one of the best institutions in the world.