FRESH: Eunisell Founder, Chika Ikenga Bags Honourary Doctorate—Chika Ikenga, founder of Eunisell Limited, was at the weekend conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) by The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.
The degree, which was presented at the 10th Convocation ceremony of the institution, was in recognition of Ikenga’s monumental achievements as a renowned industrialist, who has ensured the growth of Eunisell specialised chemicals and oil and gas production solutions as an indigenous company as well as boosting the energy industry.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, in his address said the conferment was in recognition of contributions to humanity and economic development.
“It’s an honour we expect should stimulate the recipients to partner more closely with our University and cause their success stories to rub on the development of Agriculture, Science and Technology in our University,” the VC noted.
In his acceptance speech, an elated Ikenga pledged to continue his support for education by donating significantly towards boosting the school infrastructure, establishing an endowment fund and partnering the chemistry department for joint researches with Eunisell.
He also called for improved collaboration between the academia and business sector to assure tangible growth and development for the nation and its people.
In 2018, Ikenga introduced the Eunisell Boot, an award that pays a premium of N200,000 per goal to football players with the highest score in the Nigerian topflight every season as a way to revitalise goal scoring by strikers in the NPFL.
Nasarawa United’s Silas Nwankwo and Akwa United’s Charles Atshimene were joint winners of the Eunisell Boot award for the 2020/21 season, with a cash prize of N7.6M for scoring 19 goals.
Over the years, the company has also helped in growing the Nigerian professional football league by sponsoring the Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt.
Ikenga added that having applied the knowledge of chemistry in the larger society, Eunisell will partner the Chemistry department of MOUAU and facilitate joint research programs to benefit the nation.
The Eunisell Founder was honoured alongside Dr Cosmas Maduka, President/CEO, Coscharis Group, HRH King Akeem Olusayo Ogungbangbe, The Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesha community, Osun;
and Alhaji Usman Yahaya Kansila, Founder, UYK Nigeria.
Earlier in his address, Prof Iwe said 90 out of the total 6,606 graduands including 4115 from the 2018/2019 session had first class while 243 graduated with doctorate degree and 454 with Master’s degree.
Iwe, who is the sixth vice-chancellor, explained that the university had recorded many breakthroughs and called for significant infusion of funds for the upgrade of its physical environment.
Meanwhile, President Muhammad Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammed Abubakar at the occasion challenged universities of agriculture in the country to bridge the gap of food insecurity and address the nation’s dependence on Imported foods.
He urged specialised universities to play their crucial role of catalaysing the development of agricultural sector, and helping Federal Government achieve its goal of sustainable green economy.
