Two Anambra State Commissioners and the Governor’s Press Secretary were honoured with excellent service awards by Mass Communications students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) during a weekend ceremony in Awka.
The recipients included Chief Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs; Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, Commissioner for Power and Water Resources; and Mr. Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo. Two members of the State House of Assembly also received awards at the student-organised event, which featured cultural displays and a beauty pageant amongst other activities to recognise outstanding service to the state by public officials.
During their acceptance speeches, the award recipients commended the students for their commitment to academic activities and encouraged them to prioritize their studies. They emphasized that education remains fundamental to any meaningful achievement in life, while simultaneously highlighting Governor Soludo’s significant investments in education, particularly the implementation of free education across all primary and secondary schools in the state and the provision of bursary payments to Anambra State university students.
The honoured officials bring considerable experience to their roles. Mr. Christian Aburime has served as Chief Press Secretary to Governor Soludo since the governor’s inauguration, having previously held the position in acting capacity. Similarly, Tony Collins Nwabunwanne and Julius Chukwuemeka were among the 20 commissioners nominated by Governor Soludo and confirmed by the State House of Assembly in April 2022.
The ceremony took place at a cosy environment in Awka by the COOU students, which has witnessed remarkable growth since its establishment in 2000, expanding from an initial enrollment of 500 students to its current student population of 23,500, according to recent statements by the university’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha. This student-organized awards ceremony reflects the ongoing engagement between the university community and state government officials in Anambra State.
The event was attended by several dignitaries of the school.
