Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, has conferred a Honorary Degree (Honoris Causa) on the Wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo.
The conferment was for her contributions to public health and nutrition.
The university management awarded the degree to Soludo during the institution’s 11th to 15th Convocation Ceremony, held in celebration of its 25th anniversary at Igbariam.
The other honorees are Chief Christopher Ndubuisi, Igwe Alex Onyido of Ogidi and Mr Chidozie Mbanefo.
Others are Mr Ada Chukwudizie and Mr Emma Okonkwo for their contributions in their various endeavours.
Speaking on the conferment, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo described the honour as well-deserved.
Soludo expressed gratitude for their contributions to the growth of the university and the advancement of academia as a whole.
He called on other well-meaning individuals who see education as the foundation of the future.
“Government alone cannot drive the kind of development we envision for our university and state.
” I encourage well-meaning Nigerians to support and invest in education,” he said.
The Governor also emphasised the need to honour the legacy of the university’s founder, Late Gov. Chinwoke Mbadinuju.
He said there was the need to find a meaningful way to immortalise him.
He praised the university management for developing a 25-year strategic roadmap to guide the institution’s future.
Soludo also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising the education sector.
According to him,, without education, there can be no future.
Earlier, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha, announced that 58 students were awarded first degrees in the undergraduate programme.
She also revealed that 1,677 graduands received postgraduate degrees in different fields.
“The breakdown of the undergraduate programme is as follows: 3,369 second-class upper, 7,771 second-class lower, 2,860 third-class, and 31 with pass degrees.
“For the postgraduate programme, there are 818 PhD recipients, 1,150 master’s degree holders, and 817 PGD awardees.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the graduands.
“And Iencourage them to uphold the university’s values and represent us with pride,” she said.
Omenugha also pledged that the university would continue to deliver globally competitive education.
She said they would strive to elevate its national and international rankings into the top 10.
In a remark, Mrs Soludo, expressed joy over the conferment, adding, “this conferment is a call to do more”
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to management of the university for accepting me and fellow honorees into the academic community,”she said.
