By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Awka
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Alumni Association NAUAA, global converge 2.0 scheduled to hold sometime in June 2026 at the alumni complex at the university premises promises to be a must attend event for all alumni members and intending members.
This is the promise of the Global Chairman of the NAUAA Converge 2.0 Planning committee, Prof Evaristus Afiadigwe during a press interview on the preparations so far.
According to Prof Afiadigwe, he is appealing to all Chairmen of NAUAA Alumni Association in all states and cities across the globe to mobilize members in their hundreds for an unprecedented homecoming of alumni members of the Unizik alumni since the alumni started.
He informed that he had finalized discussions with the Global President of the Unizik Alumni Association Worldwide, Prof Ikechukwu Umeh for prizes to the alumni branch outside Anambra State that mobilized the highest number of delegates.
He used the opportunity to request all branches to embark on a deliberate membership drive ahead of June converge for a successful participation.
He encouraged all alumni members to be _ready to invest in a freewill donation of a minimum of N10,000 for lowest income earners and N1,000 for alumni members without strong jobs towards the completion_ of the Alumni Center which he said should be completed this year by God's grace.
According to the Chairman of the Committee, there will be various awards and recognitions, including but not limited to immortalising Alumni members who may be able to complete any aspect of the project. Such may be named after the donor or his/her preferred loved one in addition to other incentives.
It will be recalled that Members of the Alumni converge 2.0 committee include Prof.Everistus Afiadigwe as Chairman, Comrade Obi Okeke as co-Chairman, Dr Kobimdi Umeh as Secretary as well as Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD, Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Anambra State Council as Member and Chairman, Media Sub committee among others.
The Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (Unizik) Prof. Stanley Ugochukwu Anyaehie inaugurated the 31 man committee to execute the 2026 Nnamdi Azikiwe University Alumni Association, NAUAA,
converge, 2.0 event.
The inauguration took place at the Senate Chambers of the University with a mandate to ensure it will be a huge success for both the alumni and the university.
Inaugurating the 2026 Unizik Alumni Association converge 2.0, Prof Anyaehie insisted that the converge should positively impact the university as universities are rated by the kind and status of its Alumni members.
He reassured the committee of every support needed to ensure that the converge is a huge success in all its ramifications.
He commended the Global President of the Alumni Association, Prof Ikechukwu Umeh for his steadfastness together with his global executives, urging them not to relent as the alumni is very important to his administration.
On his part, the Global President of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Alumni Association, NAUAA, worldwide ,Prof Ikechukwu Innocent Umeh urged the members of the committee to approach the assignment with a spirit of collaboration ,creativity and commitment as the success of the initiative will depend greatly on their ability to work as a team and harness the enormous goodwill that exists within the Unizik Alumni community.
His words : "It gives me great pleasure to formally inaugurate the Alumni converge community of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Alumni Association today.
"The Alumni Association remains a vital pillar in the continued growth and advancement of our great Alma mater.
"Across the world, the Alumni community has proven to be a powerful platform for institutional development , professional development, networking mentorship and the mobilization of resources for impactful projects in the institution. Our association is committed to strengthening this tradition and ensuring that the collective strength of Unizik Alumni continues to contribute meaningful to the development of the university .
"The Alumni converge 2.0 initiative is conceived as a strategic platform to reconnect alumni , deepen engagement among our members across branches and graduating sets and mobilize support for priority projects of the association. The major objective of the upcoming NAUAA converge 2.0 is to raise funds towards the completion of NAUAA Alumni center, which will serve as a permanent hub for alumni activities,networking,mentorship and institutional growth.
"Today we entrust this important responsibility to a distinguished team of committed alumni who have accepted to serve on this committee . Your selection reflects the confidence of the association in your competence, dedication and capacity to deliver .
"The committee is expected to work diligently to develop a clear frame work and program for the alumni converge event ,to mobilize alumni participation from across our branches and graduating sets.
"Drive an effective fund raising campaign for the alumni centre projects, Engage cooperate partners and well meaning alumni in supporting this noble course and to ensure that the event is well organized impactful and reflective of the values of our association.
He charged members of the committee to approach this assignment with a spirit of collaboration ,creativity and commitment.The success of this initiative will depend greatly on your ability to work as a team and to harness the enormous goodwill that exists within the Unizik Alumni community.
Accepting the task ahead in his response, the Alumni converge 2.0 committee Chairman Prof. Evaristus Afiadigwe thanked the Global President, Prof Umeh and his Exco for finding him and other members of the committee worthy to serve in the committee. He thanked the Vice-Chancellor for finding time to come and inaugurate the committee in person.
While promising on behalf of the committee of a dedicated and transparent service, he implored all the members to work as a team because he works as a team.
He stated: " We are all on this together, it's a call to service, giving back to our Alma mater. We will do it as a team, determined to succeed. Once I win, we win and once I fail, we have failed, but, we will surely succeed.
The 2026 Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Alumni Association NAUAA converge 2.0 shall be part of activities to mark the 20 the convocation ceremonies of the University in June this year.
Prominent Nigerians of all classes were part of the committee members appointed into the NAUAA Alumni converge 2.0 including Prof Anthony Apiti- member
,DR Ikenna Uba -Member , DR Gerald Abonyi -Member
Other members are :Dr Kizito Okonkwo, Dr Frank Udemadu, Prof. Nwachukwu Obiakor, Dr. Kelechi Ezeani, Mr Ishiekwene Ikehukwu, Mrs Uju Salawe
and Dr Azaka Onyemazuwa.
Others are Austin Ezejiofor, Dr Chinedu Nwankwo, Surv.Dr. Chuks , Mrs Mma Nwadike, Martins Onyekonwu, Chief Davison Oriahi, Prof.Gideon Ezu, Mr Obinna Anosike , Comrade Jerome Okorpo and Dr Chika Nnabuife
Others: Chief Okwy Umeadi,Raymond Nwagu, Mr Oseloka Ekwuno, Mrs Obiajulu Ajugasia, Mr Okechukwu Nwankwo, Captain Casmir Nwafor, Charles Ijeomah, and Izuchukwu Francis Ejjikeme.