All is now set for the 2023 Hybrid International Conference of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka slated for tomorrow Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th October 2023. This all important conference with the theme “Disruptions and Management Sciences in Africa: Issues and Strategic Choices” will hold at the ASUU Secretariat of the University starting from 10:00am each day.

 

This conference, to be chaired by the deputy vice chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Clifford Ofurum, is expected to bring together the town and gown of the management sciences and disciplines to the same room to discuss and critically analyze all the ramifications of disruptions in management sciences in Africa while emphasizing the salient issues at stake and preferring strategic choices to adeptly navigate the consequential challenges of such disruptions. In fact, the final destination is that participants will be empowered with robust theoretical foundations, empirical evidence, and pragmatic strategies to effectively harness these disruptions so as to propel constructive change in the discipline in Africa.

 

According to the host of this Hybrid conference, Prof. Pius V. C. Okoye, the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, this conference will cement the University’s status as a research destination for the management sciences in Nigeria and Africa and help to fully realize the Vision 200 of the digital Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Charles Esimone who is also the chief host of the two-day conference.

 

The conference promises to be insightful as the local organizing committee, co-chaired by Professors Hope Nzewi and Celestine Okaro, has put everything thing in place to ensure successful deliberations. Careful choices were also made to select the best hands to lead discussions on the theme of the conference. For instance, a renowned professor of human resource management and organizational behavior

with a vast local and international research experience and Vice Chancellor of Coal City University, Enugu, Afam Icha-Ituma is expected as the Keynote Speaker. The Vice Chancellor, Dennis Osadebey University, Asaba, Professor Ben Oghojafo and the founder AD Forensics and Convexity Tech – a leading cyberforensics and blockchain firm, Deji Owonibi will serve as the lead paper presenters. Other seasoned academics, distinguished professionals and captains of industry are also expected to present papers on the different subthemes of the international conference.

 

However, the icing on the cake is on Friday October 20, 2023 when the alumni of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University will be coming home again for the first time since their mass return in 2021. The theme is “Alumni: The nucleus of University development”.

 

The event which is scheduled to begin at 10:00am at the ASUU Secretariat of the University will be chaired by Senator Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone in the Nigerian Senate. Mr Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, the Executive Governor of Anambra State will be the Chief Guest of Honour while Hon. Prof. Lilian Orogbu, the member representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives will be the special guest of honour. Senator Uche Ekwunife, Ph.D, the Director General, South East Governors’ Forum has been carefully chosen as the Mother of the day. The eminent Vice Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Charles Esimone remains the Chief Host and Prof. Pius V. C. Okoye, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences is the Host of the event. Renowned media executive and immediate past managing director and chief executive officer of Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Dr Uche Nworah will be the guest lecturer at the event.

 

The truth is that if the first edition was power packed, this edition promises to be mind blowing as the Alumni homecoming and award presentation will not only bring together the alumni of all the departments in the faculty but will also consolidate on the success recorded so far since the creation of the platform for degree and post degree graduates of the faculty to meet and network. With well over 31 years since it came into existence, the Faculty can beat its chest and boast that it has trained the best hands in the management sciences industry in the country. So, the home coming will be another opportunity for them to reunite across their classes and become part of fulfilling the needs and aspirations of the Faculty and University.

 

 

 

Written by PROFESSOR VICTOR OKONKWO