By OGEMDI OZOEMENAM
Two ministers who served under the then President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's administration, have called for peace and strong unity among alumni associations in Nigeria.
They are Very Rev Prof Chinedu Ositadinma Nebo, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and ex-Minister of Power, and Dr Sen. Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Governor of Kano State, Minister of Education and Senator who represented Kano Central Senatorial District between June 11, 2019, to June 11, 2023.
The duo made the call during the 120th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the University of Nigeria, Alumni Association (UNAA), held at Dennis Osadebe University, Anwai, Delta State, and was hosted by UNAA Asaba Branch under the leadership of Dr Joy Ugomma Ogu.
The event, which has as it's theme "Reconcilation, unity and renewed commitment: Building a stronger University of Nigeria Alumni Association together," brought together alumni of UNN from different states of the federation including FCT Abuja.
In his keynote address, Prof Nebo who had served as pioneer Vice Chancellor, Federal University Oye-Etiti, described UNN as a great idea that must continue to live whose Alumni must see itself as a movement rather than an association.
He noted that the individual differences of its alumni members must not be allowed to destroy the common identity of the Alma mater, stressing that leadership must rise above personal interests.
"Established in 1960 at the dawn of Nigeria’s independence, UNN embodied the vision of a nation that believed in education, knowledge, innovation, self-reliance and human dignity.
"Its graduates have gone into government, business, engineering, medicine, law, education, science, technology, the Church, industry, diplomacy, entrepreneurship and countless other fields.
"We moved from being students to becoming custodians, ambassadors, mentors, benefactors and advocates of the institution," he said.
The former UNN Vice Chancellor, who is equally the pioneer Vice Chancellor University on the Niger, Umunya, maintained that the wisdom of the older members of the Alumni association, should mentor the younger ones to achieve organisational goals.
"The wisdom of experience must meet the creativity of youth, the older must mentor the younger, the younger must honour and learn from the older, and the older must create room for the younger to lead."
Prof Nebo therefore urged the gathering to make the University of Nigeria Alumni Association a shining example of what alumni can accomplish when they put purpose above personality, institution above individual interest, service above self, and the future above the quarrels of the past.
On his part, the former Minister of Education, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau revealed that he had a long-standing relationship with Prof Nebo while he was UNN Vice Chancellor, and later climaxed when both of them served as members of the Federal Executive Council under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, heading the ministries of Education and Power respectively.
"My association with UNN began in 2009 when Prof Nebo was the VC. The University Council gave me an honorary doctoral degree when I was a sitting governor of Kano State in 2009. Since then I have been an associate and later patron of the association. Thus, I have been following UNAA activities and is committed to efforts at its unity and sustenance.
"Now by your support and the grace of God, my then aide Dr Kani Sanusi became the 14th National/ Global President of University of Nigeria Alumni Association, prompting me to be here today.
"I left political campaign to be here to share my experiences with you. Am the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Kano Central Senatorial Zone, to represent the area for the second time," he affirmed.
Malam Shekarau reminded UNAA that unity does not necessarily mean uniformity, but entails that everybody should work assiduously for the peace and unity of the association and Nigeria at large.
"We may not have uniformity in our various aspirations but must ensure that we live peacefully in one country called Nigeria. So be mindful of the peace and unity of Nigeria," he concluded.
Declaring the event open, the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon. Sherrif Oborevwori, represented by his Chief Strategist, Dr Festus Okunbor, appreciated the organisers of the Asaba 120th UNAA NEC, saying that his administration is committed to accommodating the association to thrive in Delta State.
He affirmed that UNN Alumni have contributed their quota to the sustained development of the state.
Earlier, the National President UNAA, Dr Kani Sanusi said the event reaffirmed UNAA's commitment to the development of UNN, stressing that unity, institutional stability and strong branch network are his main focus, which will be achieved before the end of his tenure.
He congratulated his predecessor and Immediate Past President (IPP) UNAA, Lady Dr Doris Okoro on her appointment as the Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State.
The Grand Patron of the association, and traditional rulers of Asaba, HRM Asagba Prof Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN charged to live the dream and vision of the founding fathers of the institution in all spheres of influence.
The Monarch said restoring the dignity of man and promoting the greatest happiness of the greatest number remained a mirage in Nigeria, with hunger and poverty staring many in the face, even in the midst of plenty, suggesting that the country had failed.
The representative of the UNIBEN alumni and Secretary, University of Benin Alumni Association (UBAA), Asaba Branch, Mr Chukwuemeka Dunamis, described UNN Alumni as the most detribalised alumni in the country, having National President from North and Deputy from East, and other members of the national executive committee drawn from others geo political zones of the country.
Distinguished Alumni: Marcellus Ifeanyi Attama (Patron); Prof Mrs Josephine Anene-Okeakwa (Matron); Mr Gabriel Ifeanyi Ogbechie, Group Executive Chairman, Rainoil Limited; Dr Benjamin Okiemute, Director General, Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA); Chief Simeon Edafe Ukpedor; Stephen Moeteke; Amb Dr Mrs Mary Ifeanyichukwu Solanke and Sir Eluemunor Ojukwu (ALOHA) were given awards. Similarly, late Dr Maryam Ndidi Babangida received a posthumous award of excellence in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Asaba Delta State Capital Development, Women Empowerment and Humanitarian Services.
The event was chaired by Obi (Lt.) Chukwuemekalim Onyemanaogeme Ajufoh, Anya Asagba Mariam Babangida Axis in Ahaba Kingdom.