Vice-chancellor, Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, on Tuesday restated that the institution’s founder and Chancellor, Gabriel Igbinedion, is an asset to Nigeria following his contributions to national development, particularly, the opening of private varsity vista in the country.
Speaking at a birthday lecture organised by the institution in honour of its founder and Chancellor, Gabriel Igbinedion and Esama of Benin Kingdom, Ezemonye described the octogenarian as a pillar of support to the institution and an uncommon personality, whose contributions to national development speaks volumes.
Ezemonye said the lecture is to celebrate a visionary leader and to commemorate the 88th birthday of a living legend, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion via the annual birthday lecture instituted by the University.
“The annual celebration of our honorable chancellor’s birthday with a lecture such as this is aimed at acknowledging a great mind whose great vision birthed the pioneer private University in Nigeria. It is also to provide a platform through which strategic and policy issues germane to national development could be espoused,” Ezemonye said.
Representing the chancellor, Deputy Chancellor, Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), and former Governor of Edo state, Chief Lucky Igbinedion extolled the institution’s management for instituting a birthday lecture series annually in honour of its founder and pledged his unflinching support for the University in achieving his vision and mission to provide quality education in the country.