A notable philanthropist, Sir Ikenna Okafor, has been conferred with a Doctor of Entrepreneurial Innovation Degree (Honorary Causa) from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
Okafor, who is also the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Keves Global Leasing Limited, an oil and gas servicing company, received the honorary doctorate degree during a special convocation ceremony of the institution held at the ASUU Secretariat Complex of the university in Awka on Wednesday.
Speaking shortly after receiving the honour, the philanthropist challenged 1,000 billionaires in the state to join him in setting aside $1 million each to create investments in the state that will guarantee jobs and wealth for the indigenes of the state.
He called on them to shun an ostentatious lifestyle in the midst of the lack ravaging Nigerians.
“Anambra is blessed with many billionaires; we have been using our money in places they are not felt, but there are things we will do, and they will never be forgotten.
“I want to challenge 1,000 Anambra billionaires to bring $1 million each to invest in things that will bring about generational wealth for our people. Let’s not waste our money drinking champagne alone,” he said.
Earlier, the Chancellor of the university, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos, while declaring open the special convocation for the award of the honorary degree, complimented the Vice-Chancellor and his management team for convening what he called an extraordinary convocation to enable the honorary degree awardee to, in the best academic traditions, accept and receive his doctorate degree (honoris causa) in person before convocation.
He also took the opportunity to urge the VC to keep up with the admirable tempo of his administration as his tenure winds down.
He equally encouraged the university community to continue to give the VC their commendable cooperation.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Charles Esimone, stated that the choice of Okafor for the award was because of his numerous philanthropic gestures, especially in the area of education, where he had supported primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions with infrastructure.