The virtues of healthy academic rivalry and scholarly excellence were stimulated as Dr Emmanuel Nwogbo Annual Award was presented before the staff and students of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.


Dr Emmanuel Nwogbo Annual Award is an endowment of two hundred and fifty thousand naira for the best graduating student from the faculty.


The award, courtesy of Dr Emmanuel Nwogbo, an international businessman and consultant, would go to the best graduating student in the 2018/2019 academic year, and shall be presented to the student during the university’s convocation in March, this year.


Addressing the students, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Charles Esimone, who was represented by the Director of Academic Planning, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu said that the university’s administration has placed huge value on academic excellence, adding that the donor has brought a complementary motivation for scholarly pursuits in the faculty and school in general.


In his address, the Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Professor Cliff Nwanna, noted that Dr Nwaogbo’s annual endowment of two hundred and fifty thousand naira to the best graduating student from the Faculty, will in no small measure encourage learning and encourage healthy competition among students in line with the vision of the institution’s current administration.


The donor, Dr Nwogbo, while announcing the award, frowned at the poor attention given to education in Nigeria’s planning processes, which he regretted has stunted the growth of the sector and affirmed that the scholarship was to motivate the students to aspire higher in education and prepare them for leadership.


A participant in the event and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Anambra State on Broadcasting, Mrs. Ify Aronu-Okafor and Mr. Anidobe Kosisochukwu, the President of Environmental Sciences Students’ Association, noted that a rare opportunity has been opened up for the students to reap the rewards of academic excellence and praised Dr Nwogbo for championing the standard.


The occasion was also used to launch the Faculty’s logo.