Imo Govt, Partners Hezekiah University to Promote Education Quality, Intellectual Property

By Praise Chinecherem

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state has assured has assured his Government’s preparedness to partner with Hezekiah University, Umudi to promote quality education in the state and realise the overall objectives of the institution.

Uzodinma gave the assurance during the Maiden Convocation ceremony of Hezekiah University, Umudi in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State for the award of First Degree and Conferment of Honorary Degree held at the university’s field over the weekend.

The university conferred on his wife, Chief Barr. Chioma Uzodinma an honorary doctorate degree (Honoris Causa) in Public Administration in recognition of her outstanding services in women empowerment and girl-child advocacy.

The governor had on arrival, commissioned the Academic Complex and Mother Mary Okanu-Onukogu Male Hostel of the university.

But speaking at the occasion, Governor Uzodinma said it only through collaborative attitude and partnership between government and private sector that quality education can be provided in Nigeria.

“Government alone cannot fund education anywhere in the world. Government must look for partnership from the private sector. I believe that the relationship between private and public institutions must be encouraged by government.

“Because public institutions alone funded by government and managed by government, whom over the years, has proven not be good managers of businesses, cannot be allowed to provide quality education.

“There is a very huge difference between education and quality education. We are looking for quality education, which are not gotten through free education. Quality education can be gotten through subsidized education, just like what the Chancellor Prof Daddy Hezekiah is doing here”.

Senator Uzodinma promised to support the university with both infrastructure and anything within the capacity of his administration, just as he had done with other churches in the state.

Appreciating the management of the institution for the honour done to him and his wife, the Governor called on all Imo sons and daughters to support the university to succeed in her sustained efforts to contribute to the society through intellectual property and ideas.

“Since I became the governor of Imo State, I have not supported this church. Today is your own turn. I will support this university with initial sum of N250mllion for the good work they are doing to encourage education and I urge my friends to follow suit.

“This university has come to stay. In the next two – three years, the kind of civilization you will see in this area, attracted by this university, will be unimaginable. For bringing development to this region, we have to support him”, said Senator Uzodinma.

On the inability of TetFund to accommodate private universities in its educational interventions, Governor Uzodinma assured the university that he will work with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to propel policy changes, legislations and intentional administrative efforts to create synergy between the promotion of public schools and that of private schools for the overall benefits of mankind.

“I must commend the president for recalibrating the entire education system in Nigeria, introducing scholarship, students-loan programme, funding primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, encouraging both academic and non academic staff for the improved wage attribution.

“He is sympathetic and have passion for missionary interventions in our education system. I have no doubt in my mind that this university, Hezekiah University, which is also faith-based will be supported by Mr President and we who are his followers will also follow suit”, so concluded Governor Uzodinma.

In her acceptance speech, the recipient Dr Chioma Uzodinma described the award as a reaffirmation of the power of education, public service and the role of women in shaping a more just and equitable society.

While dedicating the award to every woman in Imo State, she stressed the need for strategic public administration and urged women to utilise education as a potent tool in attaining their goals in life.

“That this come up on International Women’s Day makes it even more profound and a call to action that women must not only be included in leadership but must lead with courage, vision and impact.

“Apart from public administration in which my husband, Senator Hope Uzodinma engaged women in important ministries, we also introduced gender-based policies to help women rise into leadership positions, and this earned us national recognition.

“Public administration is not a mutual discipline, but a powerful tool for social engineering, bridging divides, creating part ways for opportunities, which requires more than technical expertise, demands emotional intelligence, empathy and unweavering commitment to social transformation.

“Your education is your most powerful tool but knowledge becomes truly transformative coupled with compassion and directed towards solving real human problems. Do not seek positions of authority, seek to create meaningful change.

“The honorary doctorate I received today is not an endpoint but a renewed call to service and a recognition that carries tremendous responsibilities to continue advocating for the marginalised, breakdown barriers and to demonstrate that true leadership, that we are lifting others as we rise.”

Dr Uzodinma, who is also the Secretary of Renewed Hope Initiative, expressed gratitude to the management of Hezekiah University, saying the recognition is not just a personal accolade but a powerful statement about the vital role of women in nation-building.

“To Hezekiah University, I say thank you for this honour, platform and commitment for nurturing leaders who understand that true leadership is about service and compassion. May we continue working together to build a just, inclusive and prosperous future.”

Earlier, while declaring the event open, the Proprietor and Chancellor of the university, His Grace Most Rev Prof Daddy Hezekiah, charged the graduands to be good ambassadors of their alma mater, Hezekiah University in line with its Motto “Academic Excellence with good morals”.

He noted that the university is one of the private universities that charges the lowest school fees in the country, adding that he had also subsidized the school fees with #100,000 per student for the past 10 year since its inception in 2015.

The Man of God, who is the Founder, Leader and Archibishop of Living Christ Mission Worldwide, however charged the graduands to abide by the Godly virtues instilled into them within the period they sought quality education in the institution in order to succeed in the society.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Anthony N. Okere, expressed joy over the day’s event, congratulating the graduands, the senate and attendees for collectively sustaining the hopes and aspiration of the Chancellor.

Prof. Okeke further applauded the efforts of the staff and students who have always believed in Hezekiah University.

Before then, the Vice Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Prof Aloysius Michaels Okolie delivered the convocation lecture titled “Paradigm Shift, Soliloquy and Fungibility of Steming the tide of Education Lullaby in Tertiary Education in Nigeria: Opportunities Missed and Paths not taken”.

The Vice Chancellor noted that regrettably governments make policies without consulting the people, which he described as policy Soliloquy and policy lullaby.

According to Prof Okolie, such governments are making such policies for their own selfish aggrandizement and not the people.