Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) Law Class of 1989, has donated N5 million in honour of the pioneer dean of the faculty, Professor Christian Okeke, for his selfless services.
The group, known as ‘The Unique Pioneers,’ made the donation during its 2024 Grand Reunion in Enugu under the chairmanship of Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN).
The group also bestowed on Okeke the award of honour in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the establishment of the Faculty of Law UNIZIK.
Welcoming the participants, the President of the group, Mr Phil Chinwuba, said the journey which started 39 years ago in Enugu, had brought them together to celebrate their love for each other.
He said the reunion was significant as they were celebrating it in the presence of their founding fathers led by Prof. Okeke, Prof. Charles Ilegbune and others.
Chinwuba, represented by the first Vice President of the group, Chief Emenike Mbanugo, said the group had agreed to support the endowment of Professorial Chair in honour of Okeke by Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) with N5 million.
Expressing the need for members to give back to their communities and university, the chairman said they had resolved to unveil their plans for the Faculty of Law of UNIZIK.
“Unique Pioneers Class of 1989 are truly worthy forebearers of Unizik.
“Among us are respected Judges, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Kings Counsel in Canada, Professors of Law and Deans of Faculty of Law both in ESUT, University of Nigeria Nsukka and Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI), Enugu.
“Others are established Lawyers of different Legal Practices, Captains of Industries, respected politicians, Senior Public Officials and Officers as well as religious leaders,” he said.
In his remark, Chief Ngige expressed the need to promote and strengthen legal education in the country.
Urging the group to develop a plan for their alma mater, he called for the award of national honour to individuals like Okeke who had distinguished themselves and impacted many.
Responding, Okeke thanked the group for celebrating and honouring him.
He recalled the rigorous efforts and challenges he encountered in establishing the law faculty in the university and expressed happiness that the pioneer students from the faculty were now important personalities.
Okeke added that more than 100 PhD students and others had passed through him.
