By Ikenna Nwokedi
UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, and other top personalities comprising of the institution’s benefactors and friends of the University were honoured with humanitarian awards on Thursday, 31st August 2023 on the occasion of the Alumni Home Coming, fundraising and award presentation ceremony of the Continuing Education Programme (CEP).
The special event held at the ASUU NAU Secretariat also had 19 first class graduands of the CEP honoured for their diligence and outstanding academic performance.
In his address, the Chairman of the occasion and CEO of Olite Manufacturing Companies, Mr. John Nwabueze, stated that the programme provides a platform for workers and entrepreneurs who seek to acquire tertiary education to do so.
Mr Nwabueze averred that the CEP academic programme has helped to bridge the gap in learning as the working class can now obtain their degree certificates and compete favourable in the society in any intellectual discuss.
The young entrepreneur thanked the academic staff of the institution for their efforts in imparting knowledge into those who opted to audit the programme while also urging those who benefitted from the programme to contribute to its growth and sustainability.
In his address while declaring the event open, UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, described the event as the first of its kind and a converge for CEP graduates to brainstorm on how to enhance the programme. Prof. Esimone who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu stated that the certificate issued after graduation from the CEP is the same as that of the regular programme.
The scholar pointed out that the University certificate is standard with CEP just a mode of conveying knowledge. He applauded the CEP for the seamless programme which has seen it adopt online and hybrid learning in line with global academic standard.
He also commended the Director, Prof. Ngozi Agu and her team for their innovation towards taking the programme to greater heights.
On her part, the Director of CEP, Prof. Ngozi Agu stated that the special event created an avenue to relish the presence and reunion of the CEP Alumni who have made remarkable contributions to their fields and communities. Prof. Agu pointed out that the ceremony is also to celebrate CEP graduates who distinguished themselves in academic engagements during their studentship in the programme.
The Director appealed to generous hearts to help in raising the necessary funds for the CEP proposed office complex which will go a long way in aiding the institution to achieve her goal of providing quality education to the students.
Highpoints of the occasion was fundraising for the proposed CEP office building, humanitarian awards to those who have contributed towards the growth of education and human capital development as well as awards to 19 first class graduates of the CEP academic programme since its inception.
