By Ikenna Nwokedi
Senator Dr. Uche Ekwunife (Iyom), has been inducted into the Pioneer UNIZIK Hall of Fame.
The special induction ceremony was held at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room on Thursday, 4th April 2024 as a follow up of the Hall of Fame and award presentation ceremony of the 17th UNIZIK Convocation held in December 2023.
Welcoming Senator Ekwunife in his address, UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, FAS, stated that the induction was to recognize in a special way personalities who have partnered with the institution towards her growth and development. Esimone informed that the Hall of Fame was conceptualized during his time as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) as a way of bringing them closer to be part and parcel of the institution.
The scholar acknowledged that Senator Ekwunife has been of immense support to UNIZIK both publicly and privately and has been a huge figure through her developmental project both in the institution, her Constituency and state at large. The VC recapped Senator Ekwunife’s project in the institution ranging from road construction to a gigantic Skill Acquisition Centre describing her contributions as immense. He thanked Senator Ekwunife describing her as a member and family of the institution.
Responding, the Director-General of South East Governors’ Forum, Senator Ekwunife thanked the institution for the honour done to her with the award describing UNIZIK as a second home considering her academic adventures.
The lawmaker commended Prof. Esimone for his initiatives and innovation via the ‘Project 200’ vision describing UNIZIK VC as a goal getter, visionary leader and scholar of repute, she promised to continually lend support to the institution’s growth in ensuring that it retains its status as the most sought after institution in the South East Geopolitical zone and country at large.
In a vote of thanks, the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu thanked Senator Ekwunife for all her support to the institution while informing her that UNIZIK still hold her personality in high regard. Prof. Ikechebelu posited that the institution await the official commissioning and opening of her endowment project in the form of the completed Skill Acquisition Centre domiciled in the institution. The DVC Admin. thanked Prof. Esimone for instituting the Hall of Fame event while also commending the committee for a good job during the Convocation ceremony.
Also lending his voice during the induction ceremony was the Coordinator of UNIZIK Hall of Fame project, Engr. Dr. Paul Okolie while the Chairperson Fundraising and Hall of Fame Committee, Rev. Sr. Dr. Adaoma Igwedibia and secretary/member of the committee, Pharm. Dr. Lizette Ezenekwe were also present.
Highpoints of the occasion was the ceremonial induction and presentation of a special award from the University Management and UNIZIK Hall of Fame Committee to Senator Ekwunife.
