The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Honour

IJaw youths honour Saro-wiwa, Isaac Boro, others

The Rivers State chapter of Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) yesterday honoured seven Ijaw sons who contributed in one way or the other to the struggle and the development of the Ijaw region.

Those honoured include, Dr. Ken Saro-Wiwa, (Ogoni) Chief Harold Dappa Biriye, (Bonny) Jasper Adaka Isaac Boro, (Kiama -Bayelsa)Dr. M. Fibresima, (Okrika)other are Chief U.O. Ekeneoko, (Andoni) Chief P. G. Wormate, (kalabari) and Dr. Obi Wali (Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality).

The Ijaw heroes were represented by their families during the presentation of the awards at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt.

The award presentation was part of a one–day Ijaw youth summit organized by Rivers Ijaw youths, in collaboration with IYC worldwide in Port Harcourt.

The theme of the summit is, “The Niger Delta Struggle, Reviewing the old Approach and the new Alternative in an Evolving Socio-economic and Political Realities”.

Speaking at the summit, Prof. Atuboyedia Obianime, who was the keynote speaker, thanked the youths for honouring the heroes of Niger Delta Region, who he said had used their initiatives, wealth and strength to draw attention to the neglected region.

Prof. Obianime, a former President of IYC, said Ijaw youths must change the Idea of the Kaiama declaration, protest, kidnapping, destruction of oil installations and other criminal ways of presenting their grievances to embrace the new alternative of Ijaw struggle.

He said the new era Ijaw Youth struggle will be based on the power of intellectual and not on the strength and courage to carry weapons of war, adding that the youths of the region must realize the importance of education and do something fast to change their thinking about the struggle.

He noted that there is need to go back to the era where elders use their wisdoms and the youths use their strength to achieve a common purpose rather than betrayal and grabbing of contract against the original interest of the Niger Delta struggle.

Other speakers at the event also identified that 58 years after the Willink’s Commission that recommended the need to develop the region, the Niger Delta region has remained the same without a tangible development in spite of the creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC).

They noted that before Jonathan was made the acting President, the Ijaw activists had already created an atmosphere for an Ijaw man to become the president of Nigeria.

The speakers also agreed that for Niger Delta region to achieve any meaningful development, the Ijaw must have an “Ijaw Agenda”, which will override every other interest and serve as a guiding principle.

The organizer, Comrade Bristol Alagbariya Emmanuel, National Secretary General and leader, Ijaw Youth Council, Rivers State, said the event was organized for the purpose of orientation on how to achieve the new struggle instead of violence means.

He called on the Ijaw youths to stop any act capable of destroying the image of the heroes of the region who placed their lives on the line to attract respect and honour the struggle for the emancipation of the region.

June 27, 2015
Honour for council chief, 24 others

Lagos Chief Judge, Justice Funmilayo Atilade has sworn in the Executive Secretary, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Jaiye Alabi and 24 others as Notaries Public of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Administering the oath of office on the legal practitioners at a brief ceremony, inside court one of Ikeja high court, Justice Atilade congratulated them for attaining their new status in the law profession.

She urged them to use the position to serve as good ambassadors of their profession and Nigeria as a whole.

With their new status as notaries public, Alabi and his colleagues have been constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with estates, deeds and powers of attorney.

June 22, 2015
Honour for a worthy daughter

A reception was last Sunday hosted for Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule at the Awori College in Ojo, by the Badagry Divisional Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC). IBRAHIM ADAM reports.

The open field of Awori College in Ojo Lagos was filled last Sunday by politician, friends and associates of Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule during a reception for her. In attendance were executive secretaries and workers of Local Governments, Local Council Development Associations (LCDAs), Community Development Associations (CDAs) and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Badagry.

Despite a downpour, guests made their way to the venue. They arrived in exotic cars.

They moved round to exchange pleasantries before the programme started.

Many of them were clad in white lace with pitch cap and headgear while others wore choice traditional attires.

It was an APC affair. The high table was covered with sky and deep blue layers with flower vases on them.

The arrival of the woman of the day, Dr Adebule, added colour to the gathering. She went round greeting and exchanging pleasantries. She wore mixed gold attire with matching headgear and Ipele.

The programme began with the National anthem. Ven Ilegbusi Dicson and Dr Paramole Kabir said the opening prayer. Cori cultural group entertained guests at intervals.

In his address, the divisional leader, Prince Rabiu Oluwa called on all members of the APC to reunite.

Prince Rabiu said it is their joy to have Dr Adebule for the third time, saying the reception should have taken place since the inauguration day but they had to give her more time. “We had already fixed today before we realised today was Governor Akinwumi Ambode’s birthday. All we want is your unity despite everything that happened. Let us forget the past and move on with the present”.

He also used the medium to appreciate National Leader APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his courage and support to all the southwest states. He said Tinubu has done a lot for them and now they have a third deputy governor.

The Aladi Onijanikin of Ijanikin Kingdom, Oba Momodu Asafain his goodwill message congratulated the state governor and his deputy for the outcome of the last election.

He tasked the APC in the division to be up and doing ahead of local government election.

He also appreciated Tinubu for another opportunity, adding that he thanked God for the third deputy governor. He assured Dr Adebule and Ambode of their support, praying that they would succeed.

Lagos State Former Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, added that the people should play their part and allow the deputy to also play hers for the progress of the nation.

The Alabirun of Ikaare Land, Oba Kayode Akinyemi gave the deputy a bottle of wine. He drank from the cup and gave her some.

Dr Adebule appreciated the division for their support at the last election.

She described her success as theirs, appealing to the division to reunite themselves ahead of other elections.

“Am not here alone but am here with the governor and we are here to appreciate you all for your support. I want you to know that if I do it well, it will open doors for others and together we will claim more success. All I want is your blessings and I promise not to stay away. We are promising you that we will do our best from where our predecessor stopped for the continuity of the progressive in Lagos state,” she said.

June 19, 2015
Honour for poly Rector

The National Association of Oduduwa Students (NAOS) has honoured the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko in Anambra State, Prof. Godwin Onu. The award was in recognition of his immense contributions to the development of the education sector

The students’ body, led by its President, Adekunle Adeniyi, told our correspondent that they came to give award to the Rector of in recognition of his immense contribution to the well-being of the masses and the development of Nigeria’s education sector.

Prof. Onu received the prestigious merit award as an education icon for his outstanding contributions to the development of the institution since he assumed office in the institution located in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.

The students said the essence of the award was reward hard work and people of exemplary character.

Others, who had received such award from students of Oduduwa included former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, former Nigeria’s First Ladies, Hajiya Turai Umaru Yar’Adua, Mariam Abacha and chairman of Coscharis Group, Chief Cosmas Maduka.

The students came in their droves. Those who came included its Vice-President, Olaleye Oluwaseyi, National Secretary, Oladoja Olushola, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Jegede Adesoji, Director of Media, Awoyemi Taiwo and Director of Gender, Miss Bioye Motunrayo.

Apart from the award by the National Association of Oduduwa Students to the Rector, he equally was honoured with another award of excellence by the Students’ Union Government of Federal Polytechnic Oko, led by its President, Ezinne Nwaka.

On how they students arrived at the award to the Rector, Adeniyi said: “Having taken time to study Onu’s performance in the education sector, we noticed his commitment to good governance, democratic global best practices, rule of law, innovation. We decided that he deserves the award.”

Continuing, Adeniyi said NAOS as the umbrella body of all Yoruba students both at home and in the Diaspora seeks to fulfill, as one of its objectives, discovering role models, outstanding institutions and members the society as exemplified in the lives of the recipients of the awards.

He praised Prof. Onu on his achievements, which he said had contributed to the reduction of social vices on the campus, even as he said he had introduced computer-based examinations, infrastructural development and standard academic calendar, among others.

The chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Dr. Christian Odukwe, who was equally given an award by the NAOS, described the students’ gesture as commendable.

Speaking with our correspondent, Odukwe said recognising good work gives one the impetus and inspiration to do more, adding that the digitalisation of the institution by the Rector had brought relief in the school.

Also speaking, Miss Nwaka, told our correspondent that the union decided to honour the Rector based on his his ingenuity in transforming the institution.

However, Onu said the awards would spur him to do more for the school and the people of Oko community.

He said the successes in the institution would not have been possible, if there had not been peace among the management, the Governing Council, students and some eggheads in the community.

The Rector said: “It is my duty to build a bright future for posterity to avoid blames on the forefathers for failing in their responsibility. Acquisition of skill, which is what the institution stood for, was supposed to produce the middle level man power to propel the country’s economy.

“My intention was to ensure man power capacity as infrastructure will collapse without it. The Governing Council and the students understand the purpose of learning and scholarships.”

June 12, 2015
Honour for ex-commissioner, governor’s aide

A send-off has been held for the immediate past Special Adviser on Rural Matters to Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Hunpe and former Commissioner Cornelius Ojelabi, writes NNEKA NWANERI

Their send off on June 2 did not come as a surprise to many in the Lagos State Ministry. The duo of the former Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon Cornelius Ojelabi and the past Special Adviser on Rural Development to former Lagos State governor Mr Babatunde Hunpe were honoured by the ministry’s officials for their dedication to duty.

Their four years of meritious service was rewarded by the ministry’s staff. They were made up of directors and staff of the ministry, who recognised their leadership qualities and selfless service and decieded to send them off. To them, they provided selfless services to the people and inspired the staff during their four-year tenure.

The occasion was more of a get-together for members of the ministry. It was declared a work free day; the staff wined and dined at the hall in the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja. It was decorated in blue and yellow. There was no dress code, but most of them were unusually clad in native attires, unusual for a week day.

Outside the hall and while it drizzled, a mini parade was done for them by the men of the Neighbourhood Watch, a pet project they both executed during their tenure.

In a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Babatunde Sanuth, said the gathering was in appreciation of the good works of Ojelabi. He thanked them for doing the ministry proud.

Ojelabi’s citation was read by Mrs Elizabeth Ashiru. He was in 2007 member of the House of Representatives and asides being a politician, he is a pastor with Cherubim and Seraphim and patron of the Awori Progressives Union.

Mrs Adenike Shobowale read Hunpe’s citation.

During their administration, the Community Development Associations (CDA) became popular, she said.

There were torrents of accolades on the men of the day. One of the workers, Alhaja Sherifat Dosunmu, described the governor’s aide as a ladies’ man; a jolly good fellow; easy going and playful. She said there was never a dull moment around him as he always had a kind word for everyone.

She said the commissioner was a tireless worker and one who is very passionate about rural development, adding their combination has propelled the ministry to what it is now.

Hunpe’s daughter, Mary, thanked the ministry for accommodating her father. She expressed pride that she is her dad.

Lots of gifts were presented to them both.

A book was launched. It was titled: ‘Enhancing sustainable rural development in Lagos State-four years of Cornelius Ojelabi’s exemplary leadership’, and written by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry Mrs Modupe Ileyemi, whose daughter inspired her to write the book.

Former Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Lateef Raji, who reviewed the 84- page pictorially illustrated book, said it is a synopsis of the time and dates of Ojelabi. He said book, having zeroed on the the personality of the subject, is a pointer to the fact that one’s background should not determine one’s destiny.

“The book is a chronicle of the achievements of the subject in his four years in office and the impact he had on people, with 271 projects completed during their tenure”, he said.

The book was presented to all by a member of the House of Assembly, who represents Epe Constituency II, Hon Segun Olulade.

In response, Hunpe urged all to extend a hand of fellowship to those stepping into their shoes to continue the goodwill.

Ojelabi led all to join him sing a praise worship song to the Almighty. He charged the staff not to relent, but buckle up so they can effect change and contribute their quota to the development of Lagos.

June 12, 2015
Honour well deserved

The Abia State University (ABSU) in Uturu has held a special convocation to honour some personalities, for distinguishing themselves in their chosen fields. UCHECHUKWU AMANZE (100-Level Medicine and Surgery) and FAVOUR NNADI (300-Level Medical Laboratory Science) report.

The Abia State University (ABSU) in Uturu was a beehive penultimate Saturday. People from various walks of life thronged the institution for its third special convocation held to honour personalities who distinguished themselves in their various fields.

The Dr Uche Ogah Auditorium where the ceremony held was filled hosting high-profile dignitaries, including traditional rulers, politicians and business men. They all came to show solidarity with their kinsmen, who were being conferred with honorary degrees.

Notable among the honorees is Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). For Onu, it was a home-coming to a state where he was the first civilian governor and to institution, where he was a Visitor between 1991 and 1992, before Ebonyi State was carved out of old Abia State. Onu was conferred with Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa).

Also, a Doctoral degree in Business Administration (Honoris Causa) was conferred on Eze Nwachukwu Okere, the tradition ruler of Oheiyi-Ukwu community in Ahaba Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.

The Chancellor, Sir Francis Orji, congratulated the honorees, recounting his relationship with Onu, saying: “Dr Onu has had a long-standing relationship with my family from his childhood till present date. He has been a good friend and shining politician of this era.” He wished the honorees success in their endeavours.

Orji appealed to public-spirited individuals to support the state government in improving the quality of university education.

His words: “It has been stated and being re-emphasised by stakeholders in the education sector that, government alone cannot adequately fund education, especially in the face of dwindling resources. This is why I appeal to well-meaning Nigerians to partner with the university in ensuring quality education for our children by providing funds and facilities that will promote learning. Their support will complement the government’s effort to keep the school afloat.”

While praising the awardees, the Pro-chancellor, Senator Ike Nwachukwu, said the honorees were carefully chosen based on their achievements.

He said: “All of them are pre-eminently deserving of the honour and recognition bestowed on them by the university based on their track records of achievement and contribution to nation-building. By virtue of their admission into the fold of our cherished graduates, they have become life members of the university community. I urge them to freely identify with the noble cause and aspirations of the university.”

Nwachukwu expressed gratitude to the Chief Executive Officer of Masters Energy, Dr Uche Ogah, for donating the 600-seater auditorium to the school.

Responding, Dr Ogah promised to employ the best graduating student at the Department of Accountancy and also the overall best graduating student. He said the gesture would be shown every year to make students improve in their performance.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Dr Onu, thanked the school management for finding them worthy of the honour. He dedicated the award to the people he worked with while he was the governor of Old Abia State. He explained how he resisted the pressure to cede the university to the Federal Government at a time the state got N65 million monthly allocation from the Federation Account.

June 11, 2015
Honour for an ageless actress

The Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) has held its 23rd Leader Without Title (LWT) leadership tribute colloquium in honour of renowned actress Mrs Taiwo Ajai-Lycett. It was held at the CVL building on Victoria Island, Lagos, last Tuesday, OLATUNDE ODEBIYI writes.

Eminent actress Mrs Taiwo Ajai-Lycett stood tall as she was honoured by the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) for her contributions to the growth of entertainment.

Mrs Ajai-Lycett turned 70 on February 3; she was celebrated in line with CVL tradition last Tuesday. The theme was Music, Culture and National Image: New Ways of Projecting Power. CVL initiated the Leadership Tribute Colloquium to honour outstanding leaders who are over 70 for their special contributions in the sector where they worked.

CVL founder and host, Prof Pat Utomi described the celebrator as a vibrant, brave, gracious, truly committed, passionate and a woman who believes that her world defines the world.

He added that she is someone to be emulated adding that she is hard working and focused on delivering value.

Mrs Joke Silva who is a renowned actress said the celebrator is one of those incredible, articulate and intellectual artistes. She described her as an amazing performer and a true entertainer that is dedicated and that she is proud of her.

She stressed the need to keep engaging government on the needs of the industry adding that those in the industry should acquire more knowledge and ensure content in what they are doing.

Mrs Ajai-Lycett said life has just started at 74 saying she feels elated and honoured to have the wonderful gathering. She noted that it is special to be honoured for what she has been doing for almost a life time.

“This tells me that people appreciate what I have been doing; I can see that people have so much affection and they give me recognition. I think it is wonderful and I am on top of the world. I thank everybody for coming as you can see it is a full house in spite of the national crises. So many people turned out and I was surprised, I was stunned,” she added.

She urged upcoming artistes in the entertainment industry to ensure hard work and continue to work on themselves all the time. “I wake up every day in the morning as an actor even at 74, I am still working. I have to do all my practices and I have to make sure that my acting skills are sharp, my body is flexible, my voice is clear and I have to work.

“So it is constantly working on yourself so that your audience and the people you meet are always getting the best from you. It is important to respect the people you work for and give them the best that you can,” she said.

She stressed that government must create an enabling environment for culture to arise and it must be educated in the arts and appreciate it. “They must have an understanding of what the art can do to help them govern this nation even better.

She urged actors in the country to celebrate and be proud of themselves adding that ‘our own people can be as good as anyone in the world.’

“All we need to do is to have a bit more confidence in ourselves and don’t think that anything we have from abroad is better than what we have here; our culture is number one in the world and am proud to tell you that.

“There is a big gap between acting in my younger days and now because in that time we were well trained but now everybody thinks they can act and they don’t think you can learn to act, they think they have talent, yes you have to have talent but talent has to be polished.

“Acting till today is easy for me because I have acted all my life and I improve on myself every year. I am working on myself and it is getting easier and clearer,” she said.

June 3, 2015
Honour for Alaafin’s aide

It was a joyful moment at the weekend when friends, associates and family members gathered at the Peacock Hall, Marina Lagos of the Island Club to celebrate with one of their own.

The event was an award of Knight Commander of the Order of the Peacock (KCOP) conferred on the Royal Ambassador to Alaafin of Oyo, Aare Ayandotun Ayanlakin by the Island Club Nigeria during the club’s chairman’s valedictory party held at the Peacock Hall, Marina Lagos.

The chairman of the club, Prince Ademola Dada said the club decided to honour Ayanlakin because of his selfless service to the Island Club, Nigeria and humanity.

According to him, Aare Ayanlakin is a committed member of the club and a flag bearer whose contribution to the growth of the club is exemplary.

“He is a close aide of Alaafin of Oyo and he has been promoting Yoruba culture and tradition at home and in the Diaspora. ýWe are proud of you and we urge you to do more to promote the Island Club,” Dada said.

Responding, Aare Ayanlakin dedicated the award to God and Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, whom he described as a promoter of Yoruba culture and the ethnic group’s traditional heritage.

Ayandotun also thanked the leadership of the club and other members for their love and support, promising to do more for the progress of the club.

May 27, 2015
Honour for AUN’s brightest

It was a momentous weekend for 184 undergraduates and 24 postgraduate students of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola as they bade farewell to their alma mater last Saturday.

Some of those who excelled in academics and other areas of student life were celebrated and rewarded with mouthwatering prizes donated by various corporate organisations during an awards programme that held the day before the seventh commencement of the university.

Many of the prizes endowed by such firms as Globacom, Royal Exchange, Sigma Pension, AIICO Pension, MCEE Business Solutions, and GTBank, were worth N500,000, awarded to one or two recipients.

For making the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.99 on a 4.00 scale, Hephzber Obiorah carted away the most prizes – six – worth over a million naira.

The 22-year old said she sustained the perfect score of 4.00 for six straight semesters before her final year.

This was unprecedented, especially for someone who had to change courses thrice until she settled for English Literature and Language.

“I came in here with an intention to study information system because I liked the name. But along the line, I realised that programming is not really my stuff so I changed to Business. Then in Business It was good but, you know when you feel something on the inside. When I am in my classes, I feel like writing poems instead of some mathematical calculations so I just went to English and so since then I have been happy and productive,” she said.

The opportunity to change is one that Hephzber would ever be grateful that AUN’s American style education provided for her. She said she was aware that elsewhere it would have been impossible and she would have graduated in a course she was not passionate about.

She said: “It is something that Nigerian educational system does not have. After your JAMB, if you took Art or Science, they restrict you to what you have taken. I do not think it should be like that. The American system gives you chance to change your mind at any point in your life. In my secondary school, I was forced to do science because only the science department has competition but I knew I loved art. If I had gone to Babcock they would have kept me in science or make me to retake another jamb so I would not have loved to do that and I would have remained in science which is not my strength at all. But AUN gave me the opportunity to change my major, English is my major and I write very well.”

Hephzber hopes to make her mark writing books about Nigerian history, the knowledge of which she said is lacking among Nigerian youth.

“First of all I am going to serve my country, after that I am going to be a writer. My aim is to produce books based on Nigerian history because many Nigerian youth do not know what exactly Nnamdi Azikiwe did or who exactly Aguyi Ironsi is and we all claim to be Nigerians. I will write stories based on Nigerian history and I hope that people would read them and learn more about this country,” she said.

The budding writer thanked the president of the university, Dr Margee Ensign, for her support in helping her find her niche.

Another multiple award recipient, mostly for leadership, was Joseph Oladimeji, President of the Student Government Association.

Dr Ensign praised him for his involvement in the university’s efforts to feed Internally-Displaced People (IDP) in Yola. She said he helped carry food and stayed through distribution sessions that lasted the whole day.

However, Oladimeji said he was inspired to do so because of Dr Ensign’s exemplary leadership.

“Let me say I am privileged to be in American University in Nigeria. When I see other people less privileged and see the kind of condition which they are, it tells my instinct that I need to help, I need to make sure that the country is better. So she taking us to all these IDPs, we fed almost 5oo,ooo people in Adamawa. So it was very wonderful. Sincerely speaking sometimes I get exhausted but the president don’t get exhausted, she was always asking us to continue, so with her enthusiasm I was able to scale through,” he said.

May 14, 2015
Honour for AUN’s brightest

It was a momentous weekend for 184 undergraduates and 24 postgraduate students of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola as they bade farewell to their alma mater last Saturday.

Some of those who excelled in academics and other areas of student life were celebrated and rewarded with mouthwatering prizes donated by various corporate organisations during an awards programme that held the day before the seventh commencement of the university.

Many of the prizes endowed by such firms as Globacom, Royal Exchange, Sigma Pension, AIICO Pension, MCEE Business Solutions, and GTBank, were worth N500,000, awarded to one or two recipients.

For making the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.99 on a 4.00 scale, Hephzber Obiorah carted away the most prizes – six – worth over a million naira.

The 22-year old said she sustained the perfect score of 4.00 for six straight semesters before her final year.

This was unprecedented, especially for someone who had to change courses thrice until she settled for English Literature and Language.

“I came in here with an intention to study information system because I liked the name. But along the line, I realised that programming is not really my stuff so I changed to Business. Then in Business It was good but, you know when you feel something on the inside. When I am in my classes, I feel like writing poems instead of some mathematical calculations so I just went to English and so since then I have been happy and productive,” she said.

The opportunity to change is one that Hephzber would ever be grateful that AUN’s American style education provided for her. She said she was aware that elsewhere it would have been impossible and she would have graduated in a course she was not passionate about.

She said: “It is something that Nigerian educational system does not have. After your JAMB, if you took Art or Science, they restrict you to what you have taken. I do not think it should be like that. The American system gives you chance to change your mind at any point in your life. In my secondary school, I was forced to do science because only the science department has competition but I knew I loved art. If I had gone to Babcock they would have kept me in science or make me to retake another jamb so I would not have loved to do that and I would have remained in science which is not my strength at all. But AUN gave me the opportunity to change my major, English is my major and I write very well.”

•Hephzber

Hephzber hopes to make her mark writing books about Nigerian history, the knowledge of which she said is lacking among Nigerian youth.

“First of all I am going to serve my country, after that I am going to be a writer. My aim is to produce books based on Nigerian history because many Nigerian youth do not know what exactly Nnamdi Azikiwe did or who exactly Aguyi Ironsi is and we all claim to be Nigerians. I will write stories based on Nigerian history and I hope that people would read them and learn more about this country,” she said.

The budding writer thanked the president of the university, Dr Margee Ensign, for her support in helping her find her niche.

Another multiple award recipient, mostly for leadership, was Joseph Oladimeji, President of the Student Government Association.

Dr Ensign praised him for his involvement in the university’s efforts to feed Internally-Displaced People (IDP) in Yola. She said he helped carry food and stayed through distribution sessions that lasted the whole day.

However, Oladimeji said he was inspired to do so because of Dr Ensign’s exemplary leadership.

“Let me say I am privileged to be in American University in Nigeria. When I see other people less privileged and see the kind of condition which they are, it tells my instinct that I need to help, I need to make sure that the country is better. So she taking us to all these IDPs, we fed almost 5oo,ooo people in Adamawa. So it was very wonderful. Sincerely speaking sometimes I get exhausted but the president don’t get exhausted, she was always asking us to continue, so with her enthusiasm I was able to scale through,” he said.

May 14, 2015