The Ebonyi State University (EBSU) alumni will host their inaugural lecture series on July 10 as part of renewed efforts to support the institution’s growth and development.
Dr Paul Okorie, a former state commissioner and alumnus, said on Wednesday in Abakaliki that the initiative would help drive academic excellence and infrastructure development.
He praised the organisers and called for the lecture series to become a yearly tradition that strengthens alumni engagement and support for EBSU’s long-term goals.
“Well-meaning alumni members of institutions always give back to the society by establishing scholarship endowment funds to help the less privileged students in their former institutions.
“Some go as far as building classroom blocks, offices and other infrastructure projects for the schools.
“I hope that this alumni lecture series will provide a needed platform to make former students of the university start thinking about what to do to foster academic and infrastructure progress in the institution,” Okorie said.
Dr Eugene Otu, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science, EBSU said that the alumni association remained an important subset of any university.
He said that academic engagements, such as alumni lectures, help to equip students, staff and management of universities with relevant information needed to engender the best academic standard.
“In some advanced societies, alumni associations take over the running of the institutions.
“Here, in EBSU, the hospital in the permanent site was built by the alumni association.
“The Governor, Mr Francis Nwifuru, the Visitor to the university, is also an alumnus. We have created a lot of impact since 1999 that the institution was established,” Otu said.
He said that the pioneer Keynote Speaker, Dr Chima Anyaso, also an alumnus of the institution would speak on entrepreneurship to encourage students of the institution to work harder to make it in life.
“He did not study entrepreneurship, he studied English; so, his life will serve as an encouragement to both staff and students of the university,” he said.
The alumni lecture series is a flagship initiative of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, headed by Prof. Nkechi Emma-Echiegu.
NAN reports that the event was designed to recognise and celebrate EBSU alumni members who have made exceptional contributions to the school, communities and the broader society.
NAN also reports that the July 10 lecture will serve not only to honour Anyaso’s accomplishments but also to provide a platform for him to share insights, experiences, and leadership lessons with students, faculty and members of the public
The theme for the lecture series is: “From Classroom to Boardroom: The Power of Education in Shaping Destiny.”
The theme would reflect Anyaso’s journey from his early days as an undergraduate in the Department of English and Literature, EBSU, to one of Nigeria’s most influential business leaders.
Anyaso is the Chief Executive Officer of Caades Group, a multi-sector conglomerate with investments in real estate; oil and gas, healthcare, hospitality, and more.
He is also the founder and sponsor of both the Ahuoma Anyaso Education Foundation and the Chima Anyaso Foundation, which have empowered hundreds of Nigerians through education and entrepreneurship initiatives.
