The Vice Chancellor, Professor E. Uche Ikonne, have pledged the support of his administration, to join hands with the Abia State University (ABSU), Medical Alumni, to build a befitting structure for the Emeritus Professor Frank Akpuaka Student’s centre.
Professor Ikonne made this known during the foundation laying ceremony of the centre, at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Aba, Saturday, 15th December.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, declared, that a building which will bear the name of the Emeritus Professor, must stand tall, hence his commitment to ensure it is unique, and completed during his tenure.
He extolled the qualities of Professor Akpuaka, describing him as one who always bring solutions to perceived insurmountable problems, and a man who does not stand in the way of anybody, but rather help to build others, and prayed God to give him grace to continue to enjoy longevity.
The Vice Chancellor thanked the Governor, and Visitor, to the University, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, for his continued support, especially, towards the realization of full accreditation for the medical school with an increase of the admission quota from 90 to 120, noting that today, the demand for medical training in ABSU, has become unprecedented.
He thanked the Alumni for their support to the administration, mentioning the United States Alumni Chapter, who donated 94 pieces of all in one computer to the University, and explained that the products of the University are making waves all over the world, and promised to honor any Alumni Medical nominee, at any of the University convocation ceremony.
Also speaking, the Provost of the college of Medicine and health Sciences, Provost Christian Aluka, expressed appreciation to the Alumni Association, local and global for organizing their members to look into the welfare of their Alma-Mata, and encouraged them not to relent.
Earlier, in a welcome address, the President, Abia State University medical students Association (ABSUMSA), comrade Nwoke Iyke Enyinnaya, thanked the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ikonne, who he described as, not just a VC, but a loving and caring father, and have done so much for the medical Students, while the Global Coordinator, ABSU Medical Alumni, Professor Bond Ugochukwu Anyahie, in his own remarks, explained that the centre, which will have a bookshop, restaurant, reading room, gym, and Student’s union office was conceived to honor Professor Akpuaka, for his numerous contributions to the development of the college.
Responding, the Emeritus Professor, Frank Akpuaka, poured encomiums on the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ikonne, for his achievements in the University, describing him as an Ambassador of the college of medicine and health sciences, who had helped to grow the department of optometry to become one of the best in the world today.
He also thanked the Chief Medical Director, (CMD) ABSUTH, the Provost, and the entire staff of the College, the Medical students and the Alumni for considering him for such an honor and prayed God to uphold all of them.
In a vote of thanks, the CMD, Professor Chuks Kamalu, felicitated the emeritus Professor for an honor well deserved, appreciating the Vice Chancellor and for his support always and the words of encouragement to the teaching hospital. He equally praised the efforts of the Alumni for organizing such an event, saying they were used to doing great things.
High point of the event was the official foundation laying by the Vice Chancellor, accompanied by University Management and other dignitaries at the event.
