NIGERIA DESERVES BETTER.

Nigeria deserves stronger academic institutions –Ogbonnaya Onu

Former Governor of Abia State, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, on Saturday stressed the need for greater investment in the nation’s eduction sector. He said education remains the bedrock of nation building, and urged Nigerians to learn from developed countries of the world that laid the foundation of their development on sound education system.
Dr Onu stated this during the third convocation ceremony of the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, where he was confered with an honorary Doctor of Letters, in recognition of his uncommon brillance and commitment to human development. Also, His Royal Majesty, Eze Nwachukwu Okere, Iyi Ukwu Enyi 1 of Oheiyi-Ukwu Autonomous community , Ahaba Isiukwuato, bagged a doctorate degree in Business Administration (Honoris Causa) at the colourful ceremony, which was attended by Senator Chris Ngige, Chief Chekwas Okorie, former Minister for Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, captains of industry, party chieftains, traditional rulers, among others.
Onu said investment in education is money well spent. He expressed worries that Nigerian universities were poorly ranked on the global stage, while explaining that only the University of Lagos (UNILAG), out of all the federal universities, made the 20th position at the regional level. He stressed the need for great institutions of learning that would drive the developmental initiatives of the nation forward.
Onu explained how he resisted the urge to hand over ABSU to the federal government at a time when the state depended solely on N65m monthly allocation from the federation account. He expressed satisfaction that the sacrifice made for the survival of the state university has not been in vain, noting that the institution has the potential to become one of the greatest universities in the world.
The former governor said ABSU has one of the best topographies and charged the institution to set higher goals that would win her a deserved place among world’s great universities.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of the university, Senator Ike Nwachukwu, said Onu deserved the award, given his track record of achievements in life and contributions to nation building. He urged the awardees to always identify with the noble aspirations of the university.
“By virtue of your admission into the fold of our cherished graduates, you have become life members of the Abia State Convocation and Community,” he said.
While congratulating the awardees, Senator Chris Ngige, said Onu stands out as a man of honour. He said Onu was among the few Nigerians that braved the odds to challenge the wrongs in the political history of the country, an effort that subsequently ushered a wind of progressive change.
In a citation by the university orator, Dr R. Ogbonna, Onu was described as a consummate politician and strategist, whose uncommon brillance and unrehearsed commitment to human development, has brought changes to Nigerian politics and politicking.
Recall that Onu graduated with a First Class degree from the University of Lagos and later a Ph.D  in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, USA. As a pioneer staff  and Head of Department of Chemical Engineering, UNILAG,  he helped nurture the department to a reputable height.