I had queried my wife’s Ojukwu varsity honorary doctorate degree until… Soludo

By Praise Chinecherem

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state on Saturday praised management of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam for finding his wife, Nonye Soludo worthy for conferement of an honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa).

The governor made the commendation during the university’s combined convocation ceremony where the wife was conferred with the award in recognition of her transformative Health Revolution.

He said he had questioned the rationale behind the award until he was convinced by the institution authority on why she was chosen for the award.

He said, “I had queried why my wife should be honored with Doctorate award until they gave me satisfactory answers.

“Part of what they convinced me with is the massive impact she’s made through her NGO which she’s been doing before becoming First Lady.

“This she has domesticated in the state with her pet project, “Healthy living with Nonye Soludo.”

“More importantly is he exercise aspect which I know most of you have been dragged into. She uses me to carry out the experiment in the house.

“She keeps dragging me to exercise. She has this motor, “exercise dirty and eat clean”. She insists I sweat anytime she’s around.

“Same is applicable with that of food. She keeps selecting the food I’ll eat to keep living healthy. The same she does with our children.

“Welcome to my club Ndị Anambra because I can see the campaign is getting everywhere across the state. With this doctorate, you’re now empowering her to explode.

Soludo added, “The one that struck me most is the pap she discovered. Anambra was rated high in terms of child malnutrition, one of the highest in the country.

“My wife told me she’s worried over the statistics and would do something about it. She conferred with her nutritionist and produced special recipe of pap.

“Few weeks ago, she told me the results after they’ve experimented with about 12,000 kids that more than 50% of them turned from red to green. Maybe she’ll document that one for her PhD and not just that of honorary.”

The Governor further lauded the founding fathers of the institution, particularly former Governor Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju who established the institution.

He praised Mbadinuju’s foresight in founding the institution, which has become a source of pride for the state, but regretted he has not received adequate recognition.

“This 25th anniversary of the university we are celebrating today was the brainchild of a remarkable man. I believe Anambra has not done enough to celebrate him.

“We will find a meaningful way to immortalize the founder of this university, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju,” Soludo assured.

Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh restated her ministry’s willingness to ensure education in the state remained globally competitive, inclusive and innovation driven.

“Our investments in digital learning, teacher development and infrastructural renewal across all levels of education are bearing remarkable fruits,” she said.

While charging the graduands to be catalyst for positive change, Chuma-Udeh advised them to always remember they were part of a community who believed in their potential to uplift humanity.

“You are the embodiment of our collective aspirations. Your years of hardwork, perseverance and intellectual growth within these walls have prepared you to lead and innovative in a dynamic world,” she stated.

Earlier, Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha described the occasion as unique, having broken the jinx of five years gap.

She expressed joy that the institution which started with 500 students could now boast of over 23,000 students.

Omenugha had earlier led a high-powered delegation from COOU to personally deliver the official award request letter to the Anambra First Lady in a closed-door ceremony.