25/4/23
It was an outpouring of encomium on late Professor Uche Ikonne as family, friends, Colleagues, and the government gathered at Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, to celebrate the lives and times of the late sage, at a colloquium and Day of Tributes organized in his honour as part of activities leading to his final burial on Friday 28th April 2023
The Colloquium titled, “Preserving The Abia Dream”, attracted the creme of academia and government functionaries from across the globe.
Speaking at the event held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, the Abia state Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu revealed that he chose Late Prof Ikonne to succeed him because of his strength of character, courage, boldness, evidence-based leadership qualities, and track record of excellence.
Chief Mike Ahamba, SAN, described the deceased as the best Governor Abia State never had, noting that the Abia Dream captured in the Abia State Anthem which underscores Commerce, Enterprise, Equity, and Unity were the ideals for which the deceased lived and worked for its attainment and actualization till death.
In their separate remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Abia State University Uturu, Prof. Maxwell Ogbulu, the VC Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Prof Maduebibisi Iwe,
VC, Imo State University, Prof U.U Chukwumaeze, Former VCs ABSU, Prof Mkpa Agu Mkpa, and Prof Chibuzor Ogbuagu among others said the late Prof Ikonne left indelible marks on the sands of time and would be remembered for his numerous innovations and contributions in the academic world.
The Rector of Abia State Polytechnic, Associate Professor Hagler Okorie described Prof Ikonne as a sincere, God-fearing, courageous, and result-oriented leader who devoted all his time on earth serving mankind and building a just and egalitarian society, he stated that the late Prof Uche Ikonne had always believed that Abia state possesses all the potentials to be one of the greatest states in the country but that what is lacking is leadership.
In his speech, the Chairman Colloquium/Day of Tributes Sub Committee and DVC Administration ABSU, Prof Ogbonna Onuoha said the deceased was a man of many parts who left behind outstanding legacies in all the institutions he superintends over adding that Professor Ikonne moved ABSU’s ranking from 93rd to 27th in the Committee of Universities in Nigeria and attracted special TETFUND Grants in the whole of the Southeast states.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include top government functionaries, delegations from the governments of Kenya, and Canada, the global academic community, top politicians, and captains of industries.
The events continue today with a SPECIAL VALEDICTORY SENATE SESSION at the Abia State University Uturu.
