Photo : Prof.V.Chinenyenwa Alabekee receiving the award from Prof.Chima Iwuchukwu while Dr. Mrs Benny Ike-Obioha, HOD watches in admiration.
By Everest Ezihe,Owerri
Associate Professor Chinenyenwa Alabekee, has received a Merit Award of Honour for Excellence in Educational History and Policy Development, of the Department of Educational Foundations and Management in the Faculty of Education Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education,(AIFUE) Owerri.
Alabekee received the award last Wednesday during the department’s two days well attended 2025 maiden conference with the theme: Management of Change In Education: Foundation for Sustainable Development hailed at the University NAS hall.
Associate Professor Benny Ike-Obioha, the Head of Department (HOD) of Educational Foundations and Management in his welcome address expressed gratitude for the attendance, organization and participation which she reiterated the essence as knowledge driven in the overall interest of educational upliftment and better roadmaps for the improvement of foundational education in Nigeria.
Ike-Obioha who together with Prof.Chima Iwuchukwu of the Dept of Educational Foundations and Management, Imo State University, who also was the Chairman of the historical occasion happily presented the prestigious award to the awardee.
They pointed out that Alabekee merited the award “in recognition and appreciation of his immeasurable contributions to the growth of education, and historical analysis of educational policies and application”.
Earlier in her address of welcome, Prof Stella Ngozilemchi, the Vice Chancellor of the University ably represented by Prof Ngozi Ebomuche while commending the department for their pacesetter roles noted that the University is proud for her commitments in educational developments, innovations and transformations.
Ngozilemchi also applauded them for the conference theme which she described as germaine and contemporary, insisting that the outcome of the conference will immensely help in the nation’s urgent needs for educational improvements and reformations.
She pointed out foundational education as a hallmark for educational growth and a holistic approach to innovations, in line with the 21st century education development millennium goals and objectives.
The Vice Chancellor further informed on the patriotic need for encouragement of entrepreneurial educational system that would be tailored towards problem solving and enhanced jobs creation.
Delivery the conference lecture, the key note speaker, Prof. Stella Agu of the Department of Educational Foundation and Management, Abia State University, Uturu in her well researched topic: Management of Change in Education in the Sustainable Educational Activities, informed that the essence of modern education is not only to acquire knowledge and character but to create more jobs and trigger economic activities.
Agu regrettably said it point blank that educational system in Nigeria is in serious problem with dwindling budgetary allocation and governments lips service approach in developmental education.
The intellectual icon observed that without adequate funding and skillful manpower that educational system will continue to be in jeopardy in Nigeria.
She seriously canvassed for adequate enumeration of teachers while forewarning that terrorism and insurgency is killing education in the country.
Agu recommended the need for new directions in education management, entrepreneur education geared towards societal problem solving and the production of graduates with competent knowledge for the nation’s sustainable progress.
Other eminent scholars who delivered lectures that earned applause and ovation includes; Prof. John Undie of the Department of Educational Management, University of Calabar and Prof Yusuf Abdulraham, Department of History and Policy, University of Port Harcourt.
Highlights of the ceremony was presentation of meritorious awards to other distinguished Nigerians of intellectual pedigrees.
