It was a moment of reunion and homecoming as members of alumni association, Accountancy Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, all converged to be part of their first ever alumni converge.

 

The maiden edition of the alumni converge also featured special recognition of the pioneer Head of the Department, Professor Benjamin Osisioma.

Attended by alumni members of the department from the 1996 set, the event brought together other academics from the school who are excelling in different fields of endeavor.

 

Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Professor Fredick Odibo, recalled that the University had organised a valedictory session for Professor Osisioma as a one-time member of the Governing Council of the university, and for his numerous contributions to the growth of the institution, adding that the recognition shows how dear he is to the school management and Accountancy Department, even as he said that the alumni converge was like a father seeing his children succeeding in life.

In a paper presentation as the guest speaker on the occasion, the celebrant, Professor Osisioma, who spoke on the topic; “Professionalism in the twenty first century: striving for excellence” , outlined the differences between belonging to a professional body and being a professional.

 

He explained that a professional is one who has a way of becoming productive in any given condition, one who breaks new grounds, one who is competent, honest, trustworthy, obedient to the law, objective, loyal and builds positive and lasting reputation for himself and his organization.

In a remark, a special guest of honour at the event, Dr James Neminebo, who is the Vice President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN, said in honour of the first President of the ANAN, Professor Osisioma, that the association would partner the department in building the proposed Professor Benjamin Chuka Osisioma Recourse Management Information System center in the school for the benefit of undergraduates of the institution.

In an address, the Head, Accountancy Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr Chitom John-Akamelu, said that the event was long overdue, a reason she engaged the services of everyone in the department to organise it, describing Professor Osisioma as an asset to the school, the department and the world at large, adding that he rendered selfless services as a lecturer and man of God, even as she said that the Management Information System center, which would be named after Professor Osisioma, is a way to immortalize him while alive.

 

Earlier in an opening remark, the Chairman on the occasion, Professor Ikem Odumodu, who applauded the department for the move, noted that it is noble to appreciate people’s contributions to mankind when they are still alive, and charged students of the department and all undergraduates to strive towards greatness so they would be celebrated one day.

The National President, Accountancy Department Alumni Association, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Sir Onyemelu Okoye, while administering oath of allegiance to representatives of all the sets of the association from 1997 to 2016 to bring together their members to work for the progress of the institution, maintained that Professor Osisioma has produced forty-five professors and still counting, authored nineteen books, and has done more than enough for humanity and would not go unrewarded.

 

The event featured presentation of award of Doyen of Accounting to Professor Osisioma, award of Good Governance and Community Development on Honourable Chuma Okoye, representing Awka South Two constituency at the Anambra State House of Assembly, Excellent Service and Prestigious award on Obi of Nnewichi, Obi George Onyekaba, various categories of awards on stakeholders in the department and presentation of award to the Head of Accountancy Department, Dr John-Akamelu, by the 1996 set of the alumni association.

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