An All Progressives Congress (APC) Anambra governorship aspirant in the April primary election, Chief Valentine Ozigbo, says quality education is the key to Nigeria’s development.
Ozigbo made the assertion during a convocation dinner on Saturday in Awka.
During the convocation certificates to doctorate, master and post-graduate diploma graduates of Class of 2025, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Business School.
The theme of the convocation dinner was: “The Role of Alumni in National Development.”
“The key to national development is education; it is the number one factor, unless you leverage the power of knowledge you cannot achieve anything meaningful.
“It is about the quality of education and continuity of education,” he said.
He said there was no way government alone could achieve these feats without the input from the alumni association of the various institutions.
According to him, the success story of universities such as Harvard was largely dependent on the contributions of their alumni.
He said there was need for governments at all level to improve on education infrastructure such as building, perimeter fencing, roads, power and water supply, clinics among others.
The aspirant, who was chairman of the occasion, urged UNIZIK Alumni to contribute to the development of the institution.
He said that the measure required adequate and sustained funding that would lay a solid foundation for the country’s education sector.
Ozigbo expressed confidence that he would win the state APC primary election slated for April 5.
Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, UNIZIK, told the graduates that their successes in the society would be measured by their decisions, innovations and impact.
Ikechebelu enjoined them to always remember to give back to their alma mater.
According to him, beyond your personal accomplishments the graduates have a responsibility to UNIZIK.
“The best business schools in the world thrive on the strength of their alumni; on those who give back, mentor and open doors for future graduates,” he said.
Earlier, Prof. Anayo Nkamnebe, Director, Business School, UNIZIK, said the school graduated 31 students for the Class of 2025.
Out of that figure, he said, 22 bagged doctorate and master degrees in security studies and communication management.
Nkamnebe said that three others got Post Graduate Deploma (PGD).
Dr Elias Nworie, who bagged doctorate degree in business administration, promised that the alumni, especially the Class of 2025, would contribute to the development of the institution.
UNIZIK graduated 8, 157 students during its recent 19th convocation held from March 26 to 28.
