The Orhua Indigenes of Auchi Polytechnic Alumni Association (OIPAA) have immortalised the late Professor Lucy Osemota nee Ogbeide, the first female university graduate from the community, for her contribution to the development of the community and its indigenes.
To honour the late professor, who was a former Librarian of Auchi Polytechnic, the association members erected her sculpted image in the community as a way of showing their deep appreciation for the efforts she made to promote the interest of the Orhua people and the community.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the bust of the late professor at Orhuaghide Primary School, Orhua, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, the President of OIPAA, Pastor Shedrack Agie, said the event was to celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of Professor Osemota, whom he described as a trailblazer and pillar of excellence.
He stated that late Osemota, who was the first female university graduate, Master’s degree holder, and professor from Orhua, represented a milestone to Orhua Community and Nigeria in general.
The OIPAA President said Prof. Osemota’s advocacy and mentorship inspired families to embrace the education of their daughters, as it opened doors for generations of girls in Orhua.
“If not for the likes of the late Professor Lucy Osemota, most of us that attended Auchi Polytechnic at her time would not have secured admission. She made things easier for everyone. Today her efforts have produced a multiplier effect on the development of our community – Orhua.”
“In her memory, we as the Orhua Indigenes of Auchi Polytechnic Alumni Association commit ourselves to preserving her legacy. Let this be a call to action to continue championing education, supporting the less privileged, and fostering unity within our community,” he stated.
Pastor Agie said Osemota in her lifetime also gave scholarships to indigent pupils and distributed books, bags, and other writing materials, a philanthropic gesture he said is being sustained by her children.
He therefore called on Orhua indigenes, home and abroad, to emulate Professor Osemota, who was an Assistant Professor and Reference Librarian at Florida Memorial University, USA, by supporting the development of the community.
Kenneth Adodo, who unveiled the sculpted image, commended members of the association for their decision to immortalise the late professor for her contributions to the development of Orhua community and its people, and called on Orhua people, at home and abroad, to contribute their quota to the uplifting of Orhua Community.
The National Chairman of Orhua People’s Forum (OPF), Pastor Vincent Ogbeide, praised the late professor for her selfless services to the human capital development of Orhua indigenes, including offering scholarships to deserving Orhua Primary School pupils.
Professor Sam Ogbeide, a brother of Osemota, expressed gratitude to the Orhua indigenes of Auchi Polytechnic Alumni Association for recognising the contributions of his sister to the development Orhua community and honouring his late sister by immortalising her.
Professor Ogbeide also lauded the alumni association for their commitment and contributions to the advancement of Orhua Community.
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