By Gabriel Chy Alonta
The Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has awarded leadership, professional and community service awards to different deserving personalities as part of activities marking its 2nd international conference held on January 10 and 11, 2023.
The post-conference party and awards took place on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at the ASUU-NAU Secretariat.
Presentation of award to Chief Obi Anakwenze
The awardees were Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone, Unizik vice-chancellor, Prof. Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku, immediate past Unizik vice-chancellor, Prof. Francis Chukwuemeka Ezeonu, former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Imo State, HRH Igwe Maxi Ike Oliobi, Owelle of Nimo, Eze-Oranyelu, Hon. Bonaventure Enemali, former commissioner for youth empowerment and creative economy, Anambra state.
Others are, Hon. Edozie George Ozoh, former transition chairman, Njikoka local government area, Chief Raphael Obinenye Oraeluno, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics of Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Chief Obi Anakwenze and Mrs. Margaret Peter-Afunanya, MD, CentreStage Global Ventures Ltd.
Some of the awardees with the dean, Prof. Udedi
Some of the awardees included also Prince Fatai Adeyinka Amosun, executive director, Sagez Nigerian Ltd, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, MacAnthony Chimezie Okeke, CEO of CadLands Real Estate Ltd, Sir, Tochi Obianom, Chief Ozoh Basil Uchenna, Hon. Somtochukwu Nkem Udeze, Sir Remy Chinedu Enemuoh and Dr. Uche Ngenegbo.
Cutting of anniversary cake
In a remark, the Dean of Biosciences, Prof. Stanley Chidi Udedi said the occasion was to celebrate the successful 2nd international biosciences conference and the achievements of the faculty over time. “We also use the golden opportunity to celebrate some men and women who have continued to partner with us in our chosen part of teaching, research and community service.
“Today, we are putting into practice one of the resilience strategies, which is coming together to discuss challenges and identify how to solve existing problems in our way, hence the post post-conference celebration and awards”, Udedi said.
Prof. Udedi making his remark
Prof. Udedi further called on the university management, awardees and other partners to support the faculty in building a Centre for Molecular Biosciences & Biotechnology to launch us into the global research focus for the biosciences, while remarking that “COVID-19 pandemic has gone but life challenges demanding research at the molecular level continues to stare us at the faces”.
He then thanked the staff and students of the faculty for their continued support throughout his two years as the dean, and urged them to extend the same support to soon to be elected new dean.
Prof. Esimone and Prof. Odibo exchanging pleasantries with ASUU-NAU chairperson, Dr. Stephen Ufoaroh and Prof. Ezeonu
Receiving the award of Excellence for Academic Leadership, Prof. Esimone commended Prof. Udedi for deciding and going ahead to honour him with the award, and promised to attend to all the demands of the faculty. According to him, I share the honour of this award with all the staff and students and other stakeholders in the affairs of the university who have applied themselves assiduously to the actuation and realization of Project 200 of my administration.
Prof. Anyamene presenting excellence academic leadership award to Prof. Esimone
“The steadfastness and gusto with which we have pursued this vision and the progress made thus far, notwithstanding the force ‘majeure’ of the COVID-19 pandemic and two long strike actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university staff unions may have informed your decision.
“Our effort is paying off as Time Higher Education World Ranking placed Unizik 10th. This is a reflection of the holistic attainment of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in the endeavours for which universities are known. I therefore thank the Biosciences faculty for working in tandem to the actualization of our vision”, Esimone, the 6th substantive vice-chancellor enthused.
Prof. Ogbu presenting award to Prof. Ezeonu
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Chris Anyamene, lauded the inimitable achievements of Prof. Udedi as the Dean of Biosciences, and told his audience that the awardees were deserving personalities who have supported the faculty and university at large.
L-R: Dr. Kingsley Ubaoji, Prof. & Prof. Chris Ada Anyamene and Dr. Udedi
In their different reactions, the awardees eulogized the dean and expressed satisfaction that they were found worthy for the award. They further pledged their unalloyed support to the faculty and university at large, even as they disclosed that the gesture would spur them into more actions.
Participants cutting the anniversary cake
Cutting of the conference cake and musical performance formed the high points of the post-conference party and awards.