It was a special day for the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Nlerum Sunday Okogbule as the people of Rumuekpe poured out in their number to pay him a courtesy visit at the university campus.
The date was Friday, March 20, 2020 and the mission was to honour one of their worthy sons, Professor Nlerum S. Okogbule on his appointment as the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
Among the guest were Chiefs and Traditional Rulers, Rumuekpe Student Union, Women Groups, Ekpe Nede.
In an address presented by Sir A.O Okwere on behalf of Rumuekpe Community, the Rumuekpe community acknowledged that Prof N.S Okogbule was a great testimony of humility, integrity, hard work and intellectual prowess.
He also noted that the new Vice Chancellor had grown to be a seasoned legal practitioner, erudite Professor of Law and administrator per excellence, having served meritoriously as Head of Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dean Post Graduate School and member of the Governing Council of the Rivers State University.
Okwere observed that there could have been no better time than now for the people of Rumuekpe and indeed Rivers State to benefit from his vast experience and what they described as his fountain of knowledge.
He thanked the Almighty God for “sparing our lives to see this day and witness this occasion on behalf of the entire good people of Rumuekpe, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State which comprises of eight villages.
“We thank His Excellency the Executive Governor of Rivers State Chief Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, for appointing a worthy son of Rumuekpe community as the Vice Chancellor of this great citadel of learning.”
In his remark, Prof. Okogbule thanked the people for the visit, noting that it takes one of acceptable relevance to be accorded such visit by every strata of his immediate community.
He urged them to look beyond oil facilities and contracts, and harness their talents, reminding them that only those with education and skills can go far in life.
He thanked everyone for paying him a courtesy visit despite their tight schedules, and also commended the Council of Chiefs.
On their own, Rumuekpe Student Union government and Rumuekpe Graduates Forum through Echi Goddey Emeka congratulated the vice chancellor on his meteoric record in the academic field as well administrative prowess.
He went on to describe his appointment as a recognition of his sterling qualities, describing the new VC as a round peg in a round hole.
According to him, “we are convinced that you would transform this appointment into a platform that will widen the economic growth of the institution in order to accelerate a sustainable development in the society at large”.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of an award of honour to the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University by Comrade Lawrence Owhonda.