From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The Acting Vice-chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Prof Oguejiofo Ujam, has commended the institution’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences for honouring retired colleagues who served the faculty meritoriously.
Ujam made the commendation on Friday in Nsukka during a farewell ceremony organised by the faculty to honour and celebrate the retired teaching and non-teaching staff of the faculty.
The VC who was represented by Prof Kamoru Usman, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, said that the ceremony was a welcome development and commended the faculty for recognizing the immense contributions of the retired colleagues.
“This is commendable and a welcome development by the faculty-led by Prof Chukwuemeka Nworu, the Dean of the faculty.
“The beauty of this is that that the faculty is recognising and honouring their retired colleagues while alive, I urge other facilities in UNN to emulate this good example,” he said.
In a remark by the dean of the faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Nworu) titled “A Legacies of Service, scholarship and Selflessness” Nworu said that the retirees contributed immensely and served the faculty meritoriously.
“I am pleased to inform you that this event is more than a mere ceremony but a recognition, an acknowledgement of an extraordinary generation of scholars and staff who gave their time, their talent, their minds and their lives to build the foundation upon which the faculty stands tall today.
“Over the past few months, we have seen the graceful exit into retirement of six highly respected professors, as well as several devoted non-teaching staff members. They have either recently bowed out or are doing so in a matter of days. These teachers and staff invested their youthful years in nurturing, building, teaching, and serving with distinction and dignity in our faculty.
“We are grateful that through their efforts, many pharmacists who today serve across the nation and the globe were trained, mentored, and transformed. Our distinguished professors, our teachers, mentors, and staff, we owe you all a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay, he said.
According to the Dean, the academic staff recognized are; Prof. Amarauche Chukwu, Prof Jacob Onyechi, Prof Stella Inyagha, Prof C.V. Ukwe, Associate Professor Godwin Ebi and Associate Professor Patrick Udeogaranya.
The non-teaching staff are: Mr. Titus Eze, Madam Mercy Echata, Ugwoke Michael and Anayochukwu Omeje.
“You will agree with me that these professors have not merely served; they have built institutions and systems. They have not just thought; they have transformed lives; they did not just work; they poured themselves into a mission greater than themselves.
“For the non-teaching staff, though not always in the limelight, their behind-the-scenes roles kept this academic engine running, administrative efficiency, laboratory preparedness, classroom support, security, and sanitation. They are dancing architects of our faculty’s daily life,” he said.
The Dean urged the staff of the faculty to strive for scholarship rooted in integrity, service grounded in humility, and leadership born out of love for learning and people to ensure that the good work of the retiring colleagues is sustained.
Earlier Prof Kenneth Ofokansi, the chairman of the planning committee said was organised by the faculty to honour and celebrate retirees who worked in the faculty either as teaching or non-teaching staff and contributed immensely to make the faculty what it is now.
Ofokansi commended Prof Nworu the dean of the faculty for his wisdom to hold the ceremony.
“I commend the dean of the faculty for his vision and wisdom to hold this ceremony to honour and celebrate our retired colleagues as this is the first of its kind since the faculty was established.
“I salute all members of my committee for their hard work as well as all staff and students who contributed in one way or the other to make this ceremony a huge success.’ he said.
Responding on behalf of other retirees, Prof Chukwu said they were humble and overwhelmed by the honour and love showered on them by the faculty and noted that the event would forever remain evergreen in their memories.
Chukwu said even though they have retired, that they are not tired and urged the faculty not to hesitate to seek any help from them that is within their capacity
The highlights of the ceremony were the issuance of a certificate of excellence to all the retirees and the cutting of the ceremony cake.
Our correspondent reports that different gift items were given to the retirees.