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Econs Dept Launches Book To Mark 44th Anniversary

By Humphrey Ogu

 

It was a reunion of sorts for the Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, as Ex-students converged at the Ebitimi Banigo Auditorium on Thursday, July 9, 2021 to celebrate the 44 years of training quality manpower in Economics. The event which attracted guests from all walks of life, was used to launch a 268-page book entitled Economics @ 44: The Synopsis.

Welcoming guests to the event, Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, said that at 44, the Department has had 17 Heads of Department, out of two who are foreigners served as Directors.

He recalled that the first Nigerian Professor in the Department was Willie Okowa, who was appointed in 1995, adding that Professors Augustus Gbosi and Tamunopriye Agiobenebo were the next to join the Professorial rank in 2000, while the Department currently has 10 Professors and two Readers. “Given the positive growth trajectory of this great Department, it became pertinent for us as staff and students to celebrate,” he added. 

In his remarks, the most Senior Professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Chairman, Elders Council in the Department of Economics, Willie Okowa, shared his experience as a Lecturer in the Department from when he was a employed as Graduate Assistant till date. He expressed gladness for seeing at the event some of his former students, whom he had not seen for a very long time.

 “We need to interact more with the political class to bridge the gap between what we teach in class and governance,” he said, recalling that he taught the Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike, Political Economics of Development. He hinted that that could be the reason for his love for developmental project as Governor.

Distinguished Alumnus, Dr Alex Otti, was represented at the event by Hilary Okwu, while the Chairman, Emohua Local Government Area, Dr Chidi Lloyd, and his counterpart in Ahoada West Local Government Area, Mr Hope Ikiriko, were Special Guests of Honour.

Fathers of the Day included Eze Igbu Upata III and Regent of Ekpeye Land, His Majesty, Dr Felix Otuwarikpo, who endowed scholarship, covering payment of tuition for the best student in the Third Year. Other royal fathers and alumni of the Department were: His Majesty Eze Chima Okpara, Eze and Nye-Nwe-Ali Aluu, His Royal Highness (Sir) Nnodi Michael, Nye Udu Akpana Upata I and High Chief (Dr) Samuel Eshenake, Unuevworo (Prime Minister) of Ohorhe in Uvwie Kingdom of Delta State. 

Other dignitaries were alumni and friends of the Department, drawn from government, industry and the academia, who contributed to the success of the event. The Acting Registrar, Mrs Joyce Tamuno, was represented at the event by Dr Celestina Johnson, while Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Prince Mmom, was represented by immediate past Dean, Professor Kinikanwo Anele.

Also present at the event, which was the brainchild of the immediate past Head of Department, Professor Monday Robinson, were Professors and past Heads of the Department and colleagues from sister Departments and Universities.

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