…urges them to be worthy ambassadors
By Gabriel Chy Alonta
The authorities of Unizik Business School (UBS), on Friday March 18, 2022, recognised some distinguished MBA graduates from the 2018/2019 session at its 3rd Convocation Dinner.
The dinner, which was held for the 31 graduates in Awka, the Anambra state capital, was aimed at celebrating those who distinguished themselves, as well as to unwind after a successful academic programme.
Orient Daily reports that the best graduating students were Chinazor Okoye, Joseph Obaifo and Ifeanyi Udegbunam; Chinazor Okoye emerged the overall best student with a CGPA of 4.6.
While declaring the event open, the vice-chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Charles Esimone, congratulated the graduates, while urging them to be worthy ambassadors of the school and university. Esimone commended the school for conscientiously imparting in the students, and urged them not to rest on their oars. He told the participants not to relent in contributing to the growth of the school and university at large through the Alumni body. He said most of the development in institutions are usually executed by alumni of institutions.
Prof. Emeka Aniagolu, in a presentation titled, “Theory and praxis: A rupture between Nigerian Universities and Nigerian industry”, said there was suppose to be a synergistic relationship between the government, institutions and industry, regretting that there were cultural factors militating against such synergy.
Aniagolu, who is the executive director, Research, Innovation and Development, Fides Et Ratio Nigeria Ltd., then implored the MBA graduates to maintain connection with the university, as well as to promote its activities.
In a remark, the Pro-chancellor and chairman, Unizik 9th Governing Council, Prof. Sulyman Kuranga, assured that the university would continue to give business school all the needed support, while urging the graduates to join hands to build its Alumni body. He said the government can no longer shoulder the responsibility of funding education alone, remarking that “all over the world, it is the Alumni body that supports the funding of education”.
Also speaking, Dr. Poly Emenike, CEO, Neros Pharmaceuticals, in a presentation on ‘Mental Emancipation’, said graduation ceremonies provide an auspicious moment to formally interact, and encouraged the graduates to be determined despite the daunting challenges and economic hardship in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Director, Unizik Business School, Prof. Emma Okoye, eulogized the graduates and noted that it was their tenacity and hard work that made the university find them worthy in character and learning, while expressing optimism that the knowledge gained through the university would make them more productive and proficient in their workplace. The director said the success recorded in business school has led to the introduction of new programmes, while charging his audience to propagate the new programmes introduced in the school.
The UBS deputy director, Dr. Chinedu Onyeizugbe, had, in a vote of thanks, charged the graduates to be worthy ambassadors of the institution, and enjoined them to put to use all they learnt during their stay. He equally told them to maintain a cordial relationship with the school, assuring that UBS would continue to operate an open-door policy.
The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Uche Okafor, also congratulated the graduates for attaining the professional qualification, and told them not to forget their alma mater, even as he stressed that most universities are run by Alumni.
In separate remarks, Mrs. Okoye, the overall best graduating student, and the class governor, Gideon Azubuike, thanked the UBS management, for all their efforts, assuring that they would continue to be worthy ambassadors of the institution. They pledged their unalloyed support to the university to ensure it becomes the best business school in Nigeria, and Africa at large.
Presentation of awards to the vice-chancellor and best graduating students, as well as the cutting of cake formed the high point of the 3rd convocation dinner.