…Urges Nigerians to Stop Cursing their Country
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Director General of South-East Governors’ Forum, Senator Uche Ekwunife, has built and handed over a multi-million Naira skills acquisition and training centre to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, just as she advised Nigerians to pray for their country instead of always cursing it.
Commissioning the Centre, May 24, Senator Uche Ekwunife said it was another massive developmental Project for the students and youths who wished to develop their careers, saying that her decision to build the biggest skill acquisition centre in Unizik was informed by her desire to build human resources.
She said, ‘The Bible says catch them young for Christ. When God gives you opportunity to serve, just remember there is God.’
She said the centre contained nine training offices, big conference halls, among others, while stating that training would be in tailoring, baking, among others.
The immediate past Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, asked Nigerians to stop cursing their country and leaders, but to rather pray and confess positively.
She frowned at the act of vandalizing property. While calling on security and students to protect the centre like any other government structure which should be safeguarded, she added that security should be everybody’s business.
‘Let’s stop cursing our country. Pray for the leaders. A lot of good things are being put in place to better Nigeria. Nigeria is working. Let’s pray for our President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu; the wife; our Vice President and our leaders. Let’s stop cursing our country and leaders. When our parents are not doing it well, do we curse our parents?’
Ekwunife commended the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Charles Esimone, for what she described as his selfless service and urged public office holders to always be conscious of life after leaving office.
She said, ‘I am always proud of you, VC. What is happening here today, is a testimony of your selfless service to this great institution. You did well and that is why we are saying that anytime you get opportunity to serve the people, serve them well because you don’t know when such opportunity will come again.
‘You started strongly and you are ending strong. During your five years as VC, there were no riots and bad events in the school and that shows you served very well,’ Ekwunife stated.
Stating the power of positive thinking, Ekwunife expressed optimism that Nigeria would be great again.
Earlier, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Unizik, Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, said the school took a quantum leap from being 4,497 to 1,500 in the recent ranking.
He said the ranking went through thorough global assessment of all the Universities in the world, adding that the administration of the outgoing Vice Chancellor made it possible.
Ikechebelu said, ‘From the recent ranking, it shows that something impactful was happening in Unizik for the university to take a leap from 4,497 to 1,500 spot at the world University ranking that followed all global assessment.
Speaking, the outgoing Vice Chancellor commended Ekwunife for all she had done for the university and Anambra Central Senatorial District when she was in the Senate, describing her as a great woman of substance and a sister.
A tour of the facility formed the highpoint of the ceremony.
The event which took place inside the University premises had the school’s Management, religious, pharmacists, students and others in attendance.
Additional report from Jude Atupulazi
