CBN deputy governor bags honorary doctorate degree

From Isaac Job, Uyo

The Deputy Governor of Corporate Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ms Emem Usoro, has received an honorary doctorate degree from Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) and promised to continue promoting ongoing economic reforms introduced by the apex bank, alongside other financial regulations implemented to save Nigeria’s economy from total collapse.

Usoro, in her acceptance speech during the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration (honoris causa) at the university’s 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th convocation ceremonies held in Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, stated that all policies of the apex bank are aimed at repositioning the economy for growth.

Usoro, along with other prominent Nigerians—including the Emir of Kano, His Highness Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Managing Director of Hensek Engineering Limited, Engr. Uwem Okoko; Engr. Oliver Ebong; Pastor Inyang Udo Tobby; and Engr. Elvis Effiong Osung—bagged various honorary degrees from the institution.

She listed other economic-salvaging policies of the apex bank to include the alignment of the nation’s monetary policies with its fiscal reforms, noting that these have resulted in exchange rate and macroeconomic stability, boosted economic growth, and encouraged an inclusive economy for sustainable development.

“At the Central Bank of Nigeria, we are working hard to build a resilient economy that would support your dreams and make you part of a global economy that is full of immense opportunities. We have developed systems and implemented policies that brought the country back from economic disaster and are positioning the economy to better serve all segments of society. In great synergy with the federal government, we have aligned our monetary policies with its fiscal reforms, which have already achieved exchange rate and macro-economic stability, boosted economic growth and is fostering an inclusive economy for sustainable development,” she stated.

She pointed out that the graduating students are the future and the promise of Nigeria’s great tomorrow, emphasising that Nigeria’s economy cannot thrive without brilliant minds entering the workforce and contributing to the country’s growth trajectory.

Usoro noted that countries without vast mineral resources, such as Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, achieved significant economic development by capitalising on the brilliant minds of their young people and their abilities to build, invent, and innovate.

According to her, “Countries without vast mineral resources like Singapore, Japan, South Korea, etc., have achieved significant economic prosperity and development by leveraging on the brilliant minds of their young men and women and their abilities to build, invent and innovate so let your knowledge become a powerful tool for positive impact in the country. This is why it gladdens my heart exceedingly to see before me many brilliant young minds graduating from this great university today. You are our future, the promise of our country’s great tomorrow, our new success stories and we look forward to your energy, your ideas, and your inventions, whether in technology, finance, business, entrepreneurship, creative industry etc.”

She announced that the CBN would commit financial support to the institution’s academic and research work, and urged the graduates to remain perpetually curious, hungry for knowledge, ask questions, and avoid apathy toward new information.

“As an institution, we will be supporting the University with a token for its academic and research work for greater impact in Nigeria,” she said.

She also emphasised that excellence was a fruit of preparation, sacrifice, and perseverance, and charged the female graduates not to be deterred by societal and cultural constraints in the pursuit of their dreams.

A total of 6,779 first-degree graduates and 746 postgraduate students graduated from the institution within the stipulated periods.