BY BERNADETTE IDALU
BENIN CITY – Governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, have been conferred with the Distinguished Public Service and Leadership Awards by the University of Benin (UNIBEN) as part of activities marking the 50th Anniversary of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
The Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Professor Edoba Omoregie (SAN), presented the awards on Monday at the Akin Deko Main Auditorium, in recognition of the governor and his deputy’s contributions to governance and public service.
Receiving the awards on behalf of the governor and himself, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, an alumnus of the institution, expressed appreciation to the university for the recognition, describing it as a profound honour.
“It is an honour to be part of this historic occasion marking the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Benin.
“This milestone anniversary is a testament to the faculty’s enduring commitment to academic excellence, research, and community service,” Idahosa said.
He commended the faculty for producing generations of distinguished scholars and change-makers who have contributed immensely to national development across disciplines such as economics, sociology, political science, and geography.
Idahosa reaffirmed the Okpebholo administration’s resolve to strengthen the education sector through inclusivity, improved infrastructure, and enhanced access to quality learning for all, including children with special needs.
“As we celebrate this golden jubilee, we acknowledge the University of Benin’s rich history and its role in shaping the intellectual landscape of our nation,” he said.
“The administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo remains committed to improving education at all levels.”
Addressing the students, Idahosa urged them to shun cultism and all forms of social vices, noting that they represent the hope of a better and prosperous Nigeria.
The highlight of the ceremony was a thought-provoking keynote lecture titled “We Will All Be Consumed Unless” by Professor Brownwell Akungbowa Amadasun, which drew vibrant reactions from attendees.
Prof. Amadasun, in his address, dissected the foundational problems of the Nigerian state, faulting the country’s founding fathers for fostering ethnic politics and religious allegiance at the expense of national unity.
“Our national leaders were ethnic leaders; they laid the foundation we are struggling with today. Ethnicity remains unbalanced, and leaders continue to pledge allegiance to religion, a dangerous trend for national growth,” he warned.
Concluding, he urged Nigerians to move away from divisive ideologies, adding, “We will all be consumed unless we move away from it.”
