Follow Us on Google
…Honours Austin Umahi, Nnaji, Abubakar, Obindinso, others for service to humanity
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The second Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Research and Innovative Fair/Conference held on February 26, 2026. It was organized to brainstorm on the challenges of the nation’s technological advancement and chart the way forward.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, represented by his deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, in an address, commended the university for being in the forefront of industrial research and technological advancement.
Otti was of the view that MOUAU’s leveraging on indigenous technology for sustainable development of the Nigerian oil and gas and agro allied industries could not be more timely.
“Nigeria has relied solely on imported technology and this is the time for the nation’s research to look inwards to indigenize her technology as did many advanced countries of the world,” the governor advised.
MOUAU’s vice chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe Ofo, described the university as a place of research and innovation. He posited that in all countries of the world sustainable economic development was facing challenges, adding that this is where universities’ roles come into action.
Prof. Ogbonnaya Onwudiwe, a former vice chancellor of the university and presently VC of Rhema University, Aba, stated that Nigerian technology must be harnessed for the development of the country.
He said: “Research is the bedrock of any technological development. Nigeria should embark on indigenous technology to make it unique. We have to learn from Japan and have to adapt and not to adopt that country’s technology.”
The institution, with all good intentions and purposes, decided to use the occasion to honour some well-meaning and deserving Nigerians who have, using the compass of their various life endeavours, made their marks in the sands of time.
Chief Austin Chukwu Umahi (Ochiagha Ndigbo) was fittingly honoured by that citadel of learning. Other prominent Nigerians who were considered fit to earn the university’s prestigious award of “Innovative Leadership in Human Capital Development,” were the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar; Executive Secretary, TETFUND, and Chief Raymond Obiajulu Obindinso, among others.
A philanthropist par excellence, Chief Umahi hails from Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. He is the chairman, Governing Board, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Many testified that Ochiagha Ndigbo has touched many lives in various ways, hence MOUAU was left with no option than recognizing him for who he is and what he stands for. In fact, it was not for nothing he was deemed fit for the award in the first place.
“When I presented him to the institution, the vice chancellor said: “No, we can’t let such a person go”, said Dr. Ogbonnaya Ekwe Agwu, a senior lecturer in the university, who incidentally received the award on behalf of Umahi, who was said to be outside Nigeria on official assignment.
At the event, the institution spoke glowingly about the awardee. Austin Umahi’s kind heart was equally exemplified by the number of people who came from Ebonyi State to witness the event.
While receiving the award on behalf of Chief Umahi, Dr. Agwu said: “Our principal, Chief Umahi, has been so nice to a whole lot of people. He doesn’t have segregation, he reaches out to even people he does not know.
“Though he is not from Abia State, but this is a federal university and people like him; he is supposed to be recognized because there is nothing like human capital development, which he is championing.
“You can see the number of people that came all the way from Abakaliki because of him even when he was not around. This will show you how good he has been.
“The man has touched lives. He has reached out to many people he doesn’t even know and he will continue to do good. We are very proud of him. On a personal note, as a man from Uburu in Ebonyi State, I’m very proud of him.”
Dr. Agwu made it clear that nobody who came from Ebonyi State for the event, including himself, has not received one favour or the other from Umahi. He described him as a great philanthropist.
“Currently, he is the patron of Adu Youth Forum. He has done so much for people and this award has added another feather to his collections and it will definitely propel him into doing more for society.”
Also, former Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and presently SA to the Governor on Housing and Urban Development, Mr Patrick Enyi, addressed Umahi in glowing terms.
He said: “We are here to celebrate our principal, Ochiagha Ndigbo, Chief Augustine Chukwu Umahi. He is our principal. He is a man of character who has contributed to the growth of society, especially this institution, Michael Okpara University, Umudike. So the management deemed it fit to give him this very noble award and we are here to celebrate him and thank the institution for remembering our principal.”
The young former commissioner spoke about Umahi’s influence on his life, volunteering: “Chief Umahi has touched so many lives. For instance, in my own case, I was a young man about 10 years ago, looking for where to exercise my potential. He found me somewhere and decided to bring me into politics.
“When I was done with the university, he brought me into politics and from there he has recommended me on several occasions in one or two areas of government, I served and he supported me. He has influence in my finance, in my family, in my marriage. He is a father-figure to me.
“He is more of the reasons we are here because he is out of the country. As he couldn’t come in person, we have to stand in for him to receive this award and we are excited.”
He believed the award will propel the man he referred to as his father to do more for society. “The award will serve as motivation to him. When you see someone who has given to the society and the society like MOUAU has turned to appreciate him, it becomes a motivation. So, I believe my principal will come back to this school and do something very remarkable as he has promised to do.”
Members of Adu Youth Forum, ably led by Hon. Ogbonnaya Eneh Odii, were on hand to witness the award presentation to Chief Umahi. He said that Umahi was a leader in whom they were well pleased.
The ministers of innovation, science and technology; agriculture and food security among other eminent Nigerians, sent in their goodwill messages at the event.
