“FG Should release Nnamdi Kanu”, Says Labaran Maku, As Chief Chidoka proposes endowment funds

By Felix Udodirim, Awka

Nigeria’s former minister of Information, Dr Labaran Maku has asked the Federal government of Nigeria to release the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Maazi Nnamdi Kanu who has been in detention for years.

Maku made this statement during the 3rd Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu memorial lecture at ETP auditorium hall, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Igbariam campus ,Anambra State on Thursday.

He said ” Federal Government should release Maazi NnamdiKanu,come and have round table meeting with Igbo stakeholders.

Earlier on , The guest speaker who was former minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria & former Corps Marshal ,Federal Road Safety Corps , Chief Osita Chidoka frowned at the proliferation of universities in Nigeria, even as he called for support for endowment funds for existing universities in other to make them standard and best.

His words’ Ojukwu’s decision to join the army despite his privileged background and elite education demonstrates how education can foster courage and purpose beyond personal effort .This effort reflected his desire and effort to serve and lead, setting the stage for his future role in Nigerian history.

“Education is central to national development but must align with cultural and social values that define a society’s development goals. It goes beyond economics to foster a human -centered growth and progress.

He further elucidated on Igbo experience with education even as he sees education as.a catalyst which transforms individual success and collective progress.

“Imagine Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu university as a flagship institution benching all top african’s universities.

“Imaagine establishment of 100 billion naira for long sustainability to match with the new vision of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University which includes Centre of excellence , Research hub,Policy Incubator and Leadership forge .

” Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu university must envolve in to more than an institution .It should symbolize promise and transformation becoming the birth place of a new class of leaders who will champion policies grounded in culture and practicality. This vision aim to create lasting change and shape the future of south east nigeria .

However in her speech , the Ag.Vice Chancellor, COOU, Igbariam, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha appreciated Mr. Governor for his milestone in education in Anambra State which is worthy of note.

” The free education you have given to Ndi-Anambra at Primary and Secondary levels is quite monumental. These are people that feed into the University, and your action is a sure sign that you want sustainability in the higher education. Let us with every sense of humility thank Mr. Governor for the great support provided as we face accreditation.

“By the Grace of God, we shall not betray the confidence reposed on us. We thank you too for your effort to provide the University with uninterrupted Wi-Fi. The cables are being laid and soon enough, the Wi-Fi shall be up.

“We call on Ndi Anambra to join hands and make endowments to the University to have their names written in gold in the University and further immortalize the man, our hero, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu whose name we bear. May this intellectual banquet we share be our point of contact as we work towards the uplifting of this University, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

“The Chairman of this occasion, Prof. Greg Chukwudi Nwakoby, is the immediate Past Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU. Nno na be gi. He actually started this Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Memorial Lecture series, in 2018, during his first year in office. It was a vision that was borne out of the belief in what Ikemba represents with respect to education. This event therefore is like a homecoming to you and we sincerely welcome you.

“I also wish to welcome the Guest Speaker, Chief Osita Chidoka, OFR, NPOM (Ike-Obosi), former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria and Former Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). Chief Chidoka is very grounded in diverse areas such as politics, economy, education, etc. We cannot wait to hear from you.

“It is my pleasure to welcome also the Guest of Honour, Dr. Labaran Maku, former Nigeria Minister of Information. Dr. Maku is a well respected politician and Statesman who performed creditably well during his time in the information ministry through remarkable reformations. Words are not enough to express over profound gratitude for having you in our midst in honour of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

“How do we talk about Iyom Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu — our brand new oven-baked Minister, the widow of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu? You represent thorough bred womanhood and I am certain that Dim Ojukwu, looking over you from the other side is so proud of you. Thank you Iyom for the drive and for all the encouragement to make today happen.

“Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and your desire to fan the embers of these ideals he held dear. Today, we present some plaques of appreciation in front of these great men and women and challenge other people to emulate your noble actions.

“It is on this note that I want to remind us of the famous quote of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, on higher education; “Empower the youths through higher education and let them solve their problems. Federal Government may not do it alone. The private sector is well equipped to do it better.”

“What Ojukwu the philosopher, the thinker, the orator said many years ago is what Mr. Governor means by Private Public Community Partnership (PPCP) model and engages Anambra indigenes to help develop their homeland. We call on all of us here to support the University named after Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu to grow and shine as well as make its mark in the World. Yesterday at the Investment Summit, I listened to the country Director UNDP make her remarks. She said “Anambra State has to look internally on how we create wealth”. Again, she emphasized the need for partnership to build our economy. The University is poised and ready for investors. Thats why we have set up the University Business Ventures to drive the businesses and partnerships. Since we took over 10 months ago, I have received shocking numbers of death of the students through Okada and keke accident. We need hostels in the University to cut the rising spate of their avoidable accidents. We need staff quarters for staff that are feeling restive with the rising cost of transport and living.

“” There are so many areas for partnership. Our concern is to have an Ojukwu Hall of Fame where we shall immortalize great men and women who contributed through endowments to build this university named after a great son. Our dreams is to build a University that all of us should be proud of.