Mr Dickson Orji, Programme Coordinator, Nigerian Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapon Control, has called on all graduates of Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, to join hands in the development of the school.
He described the activities of the Alumni Association of the Nnamdi Azikwe University, as a call to serve humanity and encouraged all alumnus scattered across the world to give their service to the development of the school as a pay back.
Orji said that without the tutelage of the school, its graduates would not be making waves in their chosen careers across the globe.
Orji said in a telephone interview in Awka on Friday that he was amongst the persons given awards to mark the first reunion of Alumni Association members on March 18, and described his award of ‘Distinguished Alumnus’ as a call to serve the school and humanity more.
Orji, who is Regional Vice President, West Africa Action Network, on Small Arms (WAANSA), ECOWAS partners on Small Arms and Light Weapon Control, said the people needed great orientation towards the importance of social service.
He said that through Policy Decision and Implementation of Regional Activities by WAANSA in West Africa the youths could be well sensitised in dangers of involvement in small arms and light weapon carriage.
He said that he was overwhelmed on the achievement of the association and the University community within a short space of time, considering the level the school was during his time in early 90s.
“We can partner to work towards making our undergraduate to be different and abstain from abuse of small arms and light weapon and other human development through quality sensitisation, lobbying and strategic advocacy,” he said.
Orji who graduated from the university in 1994 from the department of political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, described the developmental projects in the school as amazing.
He commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone, for sustaining the tempo of development of the institution and his committed efforts to make the school one of the best citadel of knowledge in the world.
Orji said that his visit in Awka on the invitation of the alumni association executives who organised its maiden Reunion and Award Night gave a feeling of great remembrance of his days as undergraduate
“I was happy to be part of the success story, more so when the vice chancellor himself presented the award to me, I felt accepted by my own and remembered my days as the departmental president of Association of political science wat back in school.
“I am so proud to be an alumnus of UNIZIK, after I went round to see the level of infrastructural development in the school, report of academic performance of the students and how highly sought the institution has become.
“ I was well thrilled to see high number of buses conveying students and workers to and fro the university environment and the number of increases hotels now , while in school we had only oliego bus that takes turn to convey students from TempSite to school complex.
“I was overwhelmed with the executives well-planned programme for the first reunion, having the likes Prof Jerry Gana, as chairman of the occasion, former old Anambra Governor, Dr Jim Nwobodo, as special Guest of Honour.
“Amb.Kenneth Nwachukwu, former Nigerian Ambassador to Mali, former Anambra governor, Mr Peter Obi, as keynote Speaker, I said to myself that more service is required of me, I quickly adopted these illustrious citizens to my book of models,” he said.
Orji said that a lot could be achieved with his wealth of knowledge over the years in the course of his duties and other qualifications on National strategy on prevention and countering of violent extremism.
“As principal consultant, Greenfield Community Service Initiative, Monitoring and Evaluation of the world bank founded Second National Water Rehabilitation project, Cross River, amongst others, lots would be positively achieved,” he said.
He said that he was honored amidst of Mr Val Ozigbo, Anambra PDP gubernatorial candidate 2021, Mr Obinna Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana), Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, Chairman Chisco Group, Chief Ferdinand Nwankwo, a Federal Lawmaker.
Also, I am delighted and thrilled to mingle with was some of my mates, such as Chief Victor Obineme, Mr Dominic Ottih ,Chief Clem Ifezue, Prof Dennis Aribodor, Helen Nnebedum.
“I am most grateful to Mr Kingsley Nwafor, National President of the Alumni Association, and all branch leadership for this great institution and I hope we will not stop at this,” he said.
reports that Orji is one of Nigeria’s focal point on the United Nations programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.
A native of Obe in Nkanu West of Enugu state, Orji is a governorship hopeful in the 2023 general elections.
