Ojukwu University Confers Doctorate Degree on Governor Soludo’s Wife, Dr. Nonye Soludo, for Contributions to Public Health

It was a moment of celebration on Saturday as Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) on the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, in recognition of her immense contributions to public health and nutrition.

The university honoured Dr. Soludo during its 11th to 15th Convocation Ceremony, held as part of the institution’s 25th anniversary celebration at the Igbariam campus in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.

Dr. Nonye Soludo received the honorary degree in acknowledgment of her outstanding and passionate commitment to public health, particularly through her initiative, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo.

Other individuals also honoured alongside Dr. Soludo include Chief Christopher Ndubuisi, Igwe Alex Onyido of Ogidi, Mr. Chidozie Mbanefo, Mr. Ada Chukwudizie, and Mr. Emma Okonkwo for their respective contributions in various fields.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, described the honor as well-deserved, stating that all the awardees had excelled in their respective endeavors. He expressed appreciation for their contributions to the growth of the university and the advancement of academia.

He urged other well-meaning individuals to invest in the university, emphasizing the role of education as the foundation for the future.

“Government alone cannot drive the kind of development we envision for our university and state. I encourage well-meaning Nigerians to support and invest in education,” he said.

Governor Soludo also stressed the importance of honoring the legacy of the university’s founder, the late Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju, by identifying meaningful ways to immortalize him.

He commended the university’s management for developing a 25-year strategic roadmap to guide the institution’s growth and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing education, noting that “without education, there can be no future.”

Earlier, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha, announced that 58 students were awarded first class degrees across various disciplines in the undergraduate programme.

She also revealed that 1,677 graduates received postgraduate degrees in different fields.

“The breakdown of the undergraduate programme is as follows: 58 First-Class graduates, 3,369 Second-Class Upper, 7,771 Second-Class Lower, 2,860 Third-Class, and 31 with Pass degrees.

“For the postgraduate programme, there are 818 PhD recipients, 1,150 Master’s degree holders, and 817 Postgraduate Diploma awardees.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the graduands and encourage them to uphold the university’s values and represent us with pride,” she said.

Prof. Omenugha also pledged that the university would continue to deliver globally competitive education and work toward improving its national and international rankings to be among the top ten.

In her remarks, Dr. Nonye Soludo expressed joy over the conferment, stating, “This conferment is a call to do more.”

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the management of the university for accepting me and my fellow honorees into the academic community,” she said.

She also offered her profound appreciation to all who have supported her work.

Speaking at the combined convocation, the Pro-Chancellor of COOU, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, emphasized the importance of communal engagement and forward-thinking in education.

“We have celebrated our heritage this week, and we intend to forge a vibrant future for this university,” he stated.

He described a university community as one where disagreements can occur within a spirit of cordiality and encouraged everyone to actively participate in shaping the institution’s future.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, commended the Soludo administration for prioritizing education as a fundamental pillar of progress. “Governor Soludo’s government remains unwavering in its mission to elevate education in our state,” she added.

The well-attended ceremony featured several dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze; House of Representatives member representing Ihiala, Dr. Paschal Agbodike; traditional rulers, and other distinguished guests.