HARNESSING THE STRENGTH OF ALUMNI RELATIONS
At Converge 2.0, UNIZIK Alumni Shoots For The Skies, Targets Completion Of Alumni Centre In Eight Months
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University Alumni Association (NAUAA) has renewed its commitment to the development of its alma mater, with a target to complete the ongoing Alumni Centre project within the next eight months.
The commitment was made at the second edition of NAUAA Converge 2.0, held on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, under the theme, “Uniting UNIZIK Alumni for Impact, Legacy and Global Excellence.”
The convergence brought together distinguished alumni, friends, benefactors and other stakeholders of the University from within and outside Nigeria to reconnect with their alma mater, celebrate achievements and identify opportunities to contribute to its continued growth.
The programme commenced with a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, at the Council Chamber. Leading the delegation, the Global President and Convener of the convergence, Professor Ikechukwu Innocent Umeh, said the alumni had gathered once again to honour their alma mater and considered it necessary to pay homage to the University leadership.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Director of Academic Planning, Professor Angela Ufele-Obiesie, welcomed home the alumni members and appreciated their continued support for the University. She recalled their visit the previous year, during which they made donations in support of students, and commended them for returning to contribute further to the advancement and image of the institution.
During the event proper at the Alumni Building Complex, Chairman of Converge 2.0 and Chief Executive Officer of Seahorse Lubricants Industries Limited, Chief Ebuka Onunkwo, in his opening remarks, described the convergence as an opportunity for alumni and friends of the University to contribute meaningfully to its continued growth.
Chief Onunkwo, who noted that although he was not a graduate of the University, he identifies with the values of discipline, self-reliance and excellence which UNIZIK represents.
He urged alumni to see their accomplishments as a responsibility to give back to the institution and society through student sponsorship, research support, employment creation, mentorship and other initiatives.
He commended the Vice-Chancellor and University community for their efforts in advancing the institution and stressed that the development of a university required the collective efforts of management, staff, students, alumni, friends and other stakeholders.
Chief Onunkwo also commended NAUAA for the vision behind the Alumni Centre Project, describing it as more than a physical structure, but a platform for connection, mentorship, collaboration and sustained engagement between the University and its alumni. He pledged his support for the project and called on other alumni, friends, partners and well-wishers to contribute towards its completion.
In a welcome address, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Professor Evaristus Afiadigwe, explained that Converge was initiated in April 2024 to bring together UNIZIK alumni and friends from different parts of the world to reconnect with their alma mater, assess its achievements and challenges, and identify areas where they could make meaningful impact.
He said the decision to hold the event at the Alumni Building Complex was deliberate, as it provided an opportunity for stakeholders to see the state of the project and understand the need for collective intervention.
Also speaking, the Global President of NAUAA, Professor Ikechukwu Innocent Umeh, described Converge 2.0 as more than an alumni gathering but a homecoming and a call for collective responsibility.
He said the theme captured the responsibilities of the alumni, with unity requiring them to rise above differences, impact demanding the translation of their human and material resources into tangible results, legacy requiring them to leave something enduring for future generations, and global excellence challenging them to project UNIZIK positively wherever they find themselves.
Prof. Umeh disclosed that the Association had set a target of completing the Alumni Centre within the next eight months, expressing the hope that alumni would reconvene at the same venue to commission a completed and befitting structure. He called on members of the Association to transform their commitments into resources and the resources into the completion of the project.
A major highlight of the convergence was the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities in recognition of their achievements and contributions to society and the University. Among those honoured were Anambra Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Gilbert Ibezim Prince Engr Arthur Eze, Senator representing Enugu North in the National Assembly, Ikeje Israel Asogwa, Member representing Awka North and South in the Federal House of Representatives, Professor Obiageli Lilian Orogbu , Chief Ebuka Onunkwo, Dr Obioma Hillary Ibegbulem; DIG Kenechukwu Onwuemelie; Nwagu Mbadiwe Raymond; Sir Monday Onyeme; Dr Obiora Udeozo; Egbuna Vincent Okechi; Chief Dr Cosmas Mgbojikwe; and High Chief Dr Sir Darlington Nwabunike.
Other dignitaries who attended the convergence included Dr Christy Agim, Dr Chika Nnabuife, Dr Okonkwo Kizito, Chief Ken Chukwura, among other distinguished guests and stakeholders.
The convergence reaffirmed the enduring bond between Nnamdi Azikiwe University and its alumni, while providing a platform for renewed partnerships, recognition of outstanding contributions and collective action towards the completion of the Alumni Centre and the continued growth and global advancement of the University.
← Back to News
