A convocation lecture delivered by astute academic and financial administrative expert in Awka, Anambra state Pastor Ben Akabueze, at the unizik 18th convocation ceremony. He is currently the Director General of the Budget office of the Federation.
Dr Akabueze who represented the visitor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and at the same time the convocation lecturer began with the commissioning of ten major projects of the outgoing Vice Chancellor on behalf of the visitor. The following projects of the university were commissioned:
- Zoological Garden
- Lock-up Shops
- Ultra-Modern Park
- UNIZIK FM Studio
- Emeka Anyaoku Institute Building (Foundation Stone)
- Unveiling of Prof Ukeje Status
- Gate Beatification an/Parking lots
- Performing Arts (Music, Theater Arts and Film Studies) Building (Foundation Stone)
- Music Library Building (Foundation Stone)
- Entrance/Ring Road Ifite Ogwari (Virtual)
In his convocation lecture Dr. Akabueze started with an impressive commendation about unizik. He inserted that Nnamdi Azikiwe University possesses an impressive ranking among Nigerian universities, having named after Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe an intellectual politician, pioneer Nationalist, and Pan-Africanist. In trying to delve into the title of the lecture, he stated that the topic provides us an opportunity to reflect on the impact and continuing relevance of our tertiary institutions.
He stated that every other development depends on educational development and that Higher education is believed to be the core of human resource development. Higher educational institutions are expected to prepare graduates for employment not only for today but also for a future that will still arrive.
He stressed that tertiary education is very essential for creating wealth and driving economic growth through knowledge and skill transmission.
He outlined the main goals of tertiary education as follows:
- Contribute to national development through high level manpower training and development
- Develop the intellectual capacity of individuals to understand and appreciate their local and external environment
- Provide physical and intellectual skill, which enable individuals to be self –reliant and useful members of the society
- Promote research and product development and–
- Contribute to the development of host communities
In funding tertiary institution, Dr. Akabueze upheld that tertiary institution should explore innovative ways of financing their programmes, they should explore ways of boosting their resources generation to minimize reliance on government to meet institutional financial requirements. He said the tertiary institution need to meaningfully engage public and private sector stakeholders and foster Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
Pst. Ben Akabueze rounded off his lecture via a call for good character, noting that good character is key to achieving success in any endeavor. In his word “you must aim to be known for your integrity, diligence, reliability and self-discipline”.
