Anambra billionaire and Akwaeze-born philanthropist, Chief Ikenna Okafor has donated the sum of one hundred million naira to support the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Business School.
The endowment to the business school was made public when Chief Okafor hosted the University management and members of Governing Council at his home in Akwaeze, Anaocha Local Government Area.
In his remark at the event, Chief Okafor explained that the endowment became necessary because of the passion he has for education, which he noted is the bedrock for societal growth and development.
While pledging continuous support to academic programmes in the institution, Chief Okafor commended the Vice-chancellor of the University, Professor Charles Esimone and his team for the good works in the institution through his ideas and vision of ‘Project 200’.
Chief Okafor who holds the traditional title of Ide Akwaeze also harped on the need to promote speaking of the Igbo language, saying it is essential in maintaining core cultural values and tradition of Ndigbo.
The business tycoon, who also sponsored flight tickets to the tune of eight point five million naira for Team UNIZIK student-athletes and officials to last year’s All Africa Universities Games held at the Kenyatta University Nairobi, Kenya, used the opportunity to receive the team and officials led by the Chairman, University’s Sports Committee, Dr. Dereck Orji, and commended them for their exploits at the biennial Inter African Universities Games.
Responding , the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Esimone, thanked Chief Okafor for his philanthropic gesture and immense support to education; not just to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, but to other institutions at large, and stated that at the beginning of his administration, Chief Okafor promised to support him by doing something remarkable that will ensure his administration will be remembered for many years to come.
He described Chief Okafor as one who keeps to his promises, and prayed God for continuous blessings in all Chief Okafor’s endeavors.
In a vote of thanks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Professor Frederick Odibo, thanked the benefactor for the huge endowment and financial support to the UNIZIK Business School, and described the development as unique and unprecedented, even as he expressed optimism that before the end of the year, there would be a remarkable difference at the business school.
Others who spoke on the occasion that featured presentation of dummy cheque for the donation were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu and President-General of Akwaeze town, Dr. Ignatius Madu
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