Professor Simon Okwute
By Gabriel Agbonika
The pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Kogi State University, Anyigba, (now Prince Abubakar Audu) Professor Simon Okwute has advised graduates of the university to contribute positively to the development and good image of the state anywhere they found themselves.
Professor Okwute gave the advice last Saturday at Lokoja during the Merit Award of Excellence organized by the pioneer graduate students of the instruction. The Ex-Vice Chancellor was one of the awardees and guest of honour at the event.
According to Professor Okwute, “I am very happy to note that by putting up this event you have provided a forum for coming together to appreciate your alma-mater and her impact on your individual and collective lives.”
He recalled the past when he was a guest of the pioneer Law graduates of Kogi State University at an event in Abuja, “and I discovered that many of them, just as you today, have made tremendous progress in life and are engaged in every sector of the national economy. A good number of you have acquired postgraduate degrees including Masters and Ph.D in local and foreign universities, indicating your competitiveness based on the knowledge you acquired at KSU (PAAU). I must also add that some KSU pioneer graduates are becoming professors in local and foreign universities in their own right. I am therefore very proud as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor that the tiny seeds we planted slightly over two decades ago have today grown into very productive giant trees of great respect. This was the goal of the founding fathers, particularly, late Prince Abubakar Audu, the first elected civilian and Executive Governor of Kogi State, under whom the University was established.”
He promised to continue to remember each and every one of them “in my prayers for a prosperous life. For those of you who have not yet got the type of job you want, do not despair for your time will come. I must also add that you should all join the Kogi State University Alumni Association and contribute your quota to the development of your alma-mater”.
Professor Okwute expressed his sincere appreciation for inviting him and for the recognition accorded me at the event.
