By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka on Friday, 29th August, 2025 held her maiden edition of the 2025 Alumni Homecoming/Friends of the Department Award Presentation and Endowment Event.
The event held at the ASUU-NAU Secretariat with the theme, “From Campus to Boardroom: Bridging Generations, Empowering Alumni and Giving Back”, was in celebration of the achievements of the Department in keeping with her legacies as well as creating a convivial moment for her alumni.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and President Ohaneze Ndigbo FCT, Hon. Eze Primacy Okadigbo represented by the Director, UNIZIK Business School (UBS), Prof. Pius Okoye described the event as apt as alumni association is the backbone of every academia.
He described the Department of Business Administration as the mother of the Faculty as can be seen with the avalanche of her academic products who are excelling in various fields of endeavour. He called on the alumni to ensure they contribute their quota towards the growth of the Department and Education at large.
Declaring the event open, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi described alumni association as an assemblage of the graduates of an educational institution usually tertiary education institutions providing a platform through which graduates in different positions interact with possible professional and career promoters.
Prof. Arinze-Umobi who was represented by the institution’s Chief Legal Officer, Rev. Fr. Prof. Maurice Izunwa commended the Department for taking the right step towards reconnecting with their academic products. The acting VC congratulated the recipients of the awards while urging them to continue with the various good works that earned them their recognitions.
Delivering the Keynote speech, the Mother of the Day and Director-General, South East Governor’s Forum, Senator Dr. Uche Ekwunife stated that the gathering is not just an alumni homecoming but a call to unity, vision and action by bridging generations, empowering alumni and giving back to the Department and the institution that gave her product a solid foundation.
The APC Deputy Governorship Candidate for Anambra State Gubernatorial Election affirmed that alumni are catalysts for institutional growth, societal development and national transformation. She called on the alumni to support the growth of the Department by helping her to achieve its goals and vision.
The Royal Father of the Day and Traditional Ruler of Aguleri Kingdom, HRM Igwe Dr. Michael Chukwuneme Idigo congratulated the alumni of the Business Administration Department of UNIZIK for the special event. Igwe Idigo informed that the products of the Department are making giants stride in academia and various fields of endeavour in the country.
In his welcome address, the Head, Department of Business Administration, UNIZIK, Prof. Faith Chidi Onwuchekwa stated that the gathering is a celebration of the legacy of vision and of the unbroken bond between the Department and her products that have carried the UNIZIK flag with distinction into the boardrooms, institutions and communities of the world.
Prof. Onwuchekwa averred that the maiden edition of the Alumni Homecoming, Award presentation and Endowment Event carries with it a symbolism that represents the beginning of a tradition that will in the years ahead strengthen ties, ignite collaborations and inspire her students to see beyond the classroom into the world of limitless possibilities. The scholar highlighted some of the Department goals such as Construction of a Departmental office complex, installation of a solar energy system, establishment of a Business Administration Incubation Laboratory and acquisition of a Departmental Utility vehicle.
The Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Francis Nwankwo in his remarks stated that the homecoming event is more than a Reunion but a collective achievement and drive towards shaping the future of business in Nigeria. The scholar said the theme is timely and inspiring which buttressed the point that the knowledge gathered during the course of academic pursuit are the stepping stones to getting to the boardroom.
The Guest Speaker, Dr. Uchenna Tagbo Onyilofor while delivering the Alumni Lecture defined the campus as a place for preparation and laying of the foundation for the candidate to end up in the boardroom. Dr. Onyilofor noted that the boardroom is the champion arena and the dream of all in various fields of endeavour.
The Alumni Lecturer informed that the institution should prepare students for the boardroom not just through teaching but other aspects of learning to make her products stand out and be prepared for the boardroom. He also admonished students to be attentive not just to their academic sojourn but make efforts to be part of other activities in the ivory tower for their total development as they are the alumni in embryos who will sustain academic growth and development.
In his vote of thanks, Dr. Joshua Owulo thanked all and sundry who graced the colourful occasion, the scholar reminded the alumni and all staff members that the process of elevating the status of the department is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders involved through dedication, commitment and determination.
Highpoints of the occasion were the cutting of the alumni cake, presentation and conferment of awards to distinguished alumni.
