By Shaft

 

Thursday, May 2, 2019, Gregory University Uturu, Abia State, added a new chapter to the life and evolution of the institution. This particular day and date would always stand out remarkably significant in the annals of GUU.  In later years it shall be commemorated and remembered as historic, memorable, special, and extraordinary. Two important and unique events brought members of GUU community and numerous guests together in Goodluck Jonathan Auditorium. It was the formal flag off/introduction and presentation of the Maiden Public Lecture and Conferment of Emeritus Professorship on two GUU’s distinguished eminent Scholars cum Administrators.

Dignitaries present comprised the Chancellor, Professor Greg Ike Ibe, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Augustine Amadikwa Uwakwe, DVC Academic, Professor Evaristus O. Anyaehie, Acting Registrar, Dr. Okey E. Onokah, Principal Assistant Registrar Media/Public Relations, Mr. Ogbonnaya Ogwo, and other Principal Officers of the University.  Board of Trustee Members, Governing Council Members, Senate, Academia, Scholars, and Staff of GUU turned out in numbers to witness the historic events. In his introductory remarks and prelude to the Award ceremony, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Evaristus Anyaehie, described Professors J. C. Ogbonnaya and Isaac I. Ezebuiro as Pacesetters. Citations of the profiles of the Distinguished Awardees eloquently presented by the University Orator, Professor Cyprian Okoli, left no doubts the Awardees possessed intimidating academic prowess and credentials and fascinating records of great exploits in other field of endeavours.

Professor Joshua C. Ogbonnaya, Provost, College of Medicine, and Professor Isaac Ifechukwu Ezebuiro, Dean, College of Engineering, were the cynosure of attention and great admirations as the erudite and eminent distinguished awardees. These Iconic Professors were conferred with Emeritus Professor respectively by GUU in appreciation and recognitions of meritorious contributions and services to the development and growth of the University and specifically in their respectively academic disciplines. Eulogies and commendations were passionately and sincerely showered on the Awardees by the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, and other GUU Principal Officers who took turns to speak in emotionally and dearly appreciative tones.

Professor J.C. Ogbonnaya (Ogwudire) was variously described as a Giant and Iroko in many fields of endeavours. The Conferment of the Award, Emeritus Professor, in the words of the Chancellor, was “in deep appreciation for immense contributions to the development and growth of Gregory University, Uturu”.

Engr. Professor Isaac I. Ezebuiro, similarly was the subject of impressive encomiums and testimonials for outstanding contributions to GUU. The Chancellor, stressed the Award was intended specifically, in his words “to bring to global attention the presence of “God of Engineering” and his numerous contributions to GUU. Professor Ezebuiro, was aptly dubbed “true citizen of the world” by the Chancellor, having studied Engineering courses in prestigious institutions in different parts of the world and traversing almost every continent in the process. Emeritus Professor Ezebuiro was equally appreciated by the Chancellor as “Hero of the Ivory Tower who has given his all to GUU”.

To the credits of the Awardees, the Chancellor, disclosed to the Congregation and audience the College of Medicine and College of Engineering gained accreditations on record time by NUC as the results of the meticulous and perfect works done by the Iconic Professors respectively. COREN and NSE approved the College of Engineering speedily as a result of Emeritus Professor Ezebuiro’s reputation as highly regarded Engineering Guru and Doyen.

The Chancellor emphasized the significance of the Conferment lie in and can be truly valued and appreciated coming at the time the Distinguished Professors are on top gears of their games and in the pinnacles of stellar careers. The recognitions also symbolized the Awardees would remain permanently part of GUU and for life. The Chancellor announced GUU would name “some things” after the Awardees and endow some chairs in their honours to immortalize the immense contributions of the Awardees. Members of GUU community were encouraged by the Chancellor to emulate the worthy examples of these Eminent Academics Icons. High points of the ceremony were the presentations of Plaques and Commendation Letters to the Awardees by the Chancellor and Principal Officers of GUU.

Emeritus Professor J.C. Ogbonnaya spoke on behalf of the Awardees and expressed profound gratitude to the Chancellor and entire GUU for honours and recognitions accorded him and his colleague and expressed the readiness on their parts to continually make more meaningful contributions.

The Maiden Public Lecture as the second segment of the event was delivered by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Augustine A. Uwakwe. The Lecture Topic: “Managing Sickle Cell Disease; The Natural Alternatives”. The Topic was described as timely and topical considering the scourge and devastating effects of Sickle Cell in the present societies as it was in the past. The Presenter, VC, shared his widely acclaimed wealth of knowledge borne out of over two decades of relentless research initiatives on the subject.

The VC was also honoured with Presentation of Plaque for blazing the trail as the Premier Presenter of the Maiden/Inaugural Public Lecture of GUU. GUU community was informed and assured by the Chancellor the Public Lecture would be observed regularly and encouraged GUU Academia to take good advantage of the platform.