Nsukka (Enugu State) – The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, has bagged the 2016 Kwame Nkrumah leadership award.
Presenting the award in Nsukka, Enugu State on Tuesday, the Speaker of the All Africa Students Union Congress, Mr Armstrong Ovie-Afabor, said Ozumba was given the award for his commitment to promoting medicine, education and societal development.
Ovie-Afabor said the award was also given to Ozumba for distinguishing himself as a leader and his enviable achievements at the UNN.
“The vice-chancellor has distinguished himself as a leader; right from when he was the provost of the UNN College of Medicine, and his giant strides in UNN since assumption of office as the VC.
“Ozumba has been in the forefront of promoting medicine, education and societal development,’’ he said.
He said the VC was chosen among other nominees from various universities in Africa because of his outstanding devotion to academic and professional excellence.
“The recipient has displayed a high level of professional, administrative and social competence in all positions he has held as well as to all who come in contact with him.
“Ozumba believes that Nigeria and indeed Africa will one day have a university that will sit in the table of equality in rating with world-class universities like Harvard, Massachusetts, Oxford, Cambridge and Yale,” he said.
The speaker said that the Kwame Nkrumah Africa Leadership Award was aimed at promoting good leadership and African culture of integrity.
“This award is given to African leaders with the vision to uplift Africa and inspire African youths.
“This award is given to leaders in Africa who have distinguished themselves by impacting positively on the society via quality leadership,’’ he said.
In a remark while receiving the award, Ozumba thanked the union for finding him worthy of its award and promised that it would motivate him to offer more selfless service to humanity.
“For all of my years of existence, giving has been the hallmark of my character. I have always given my time, energy and resources to improve the lot of the next person.
”For me, it has always been selfless service without asking anything in return,” he said.
The VC advised students in various universities and tertiary institutions in Africa to pursue academic excellence.
He said that quality education and leadership were two major ingredients needed to move the African continent to the next level.
The executives of Student Union Governments from different universities in Africa were present at the presentation. (NAN)