By Izunna Okafor

Deputy Governor of Anambra state, Dr Nkem Okeke has eulogized the dexterity, focus and innovative mindset of the Head of Department of Economics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Dr. Ebele Nwokoye and her team.

Dr. Okeke gave the commendation shortly after receiving an Award of Excellence in recognition of his selfless service to humanity by the Department, presented during the Third Staff Seminar and First Alumni Homecoming of the Department recently held in the school.

Acdording to the Head of the Department of Economics which is under the Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr Ebele Nwokoye, the honour was in recognition of the contributions of the Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr Okeke throughout his period in the department as the HoD before his political appointment.

The Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr Okeke who appreciated the Department for the recognition, harped on the need for parents to invest in their children's academic life, as he noted that quality education is the best weapon to conquer the world, pointing out that it is the debt that every parent owes his or her children.

Dr. Okeke while saying that Nigeria problem is not restructuring but poor leadership, called for leadership with sincerity, purpose, and selflessness across all levels.

In his contribution, the Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Uche Nwogwugwu commended the Deputy Governor, Dr Okekefor being a good representative of the Department and the institution at all times, and encouraged the students to be serious with their studies in order to be relevant in time to come.

Earlier In her address, the Head of Department of Economics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Dr Ebele Nwokoye disclosed that they organized the event to recognize excellence that the Deputy Governor represents, and also to equip the students with knowledge that would make them employers of labour and not job seekers on graduation.

Dr. Nwokoye, while describing the theme of the lecture: "Institutions, Good Governance and Economic Development: The Case with Nigeria", as apt, insisted that economic development connotes inclusiveness in resource allocation and existing literature documents.

She pointed out that unemployment, extreme inequality, social exclusion, natural and man-made disasters, poverty and hunger are danger signs, adding that a free society which cannot care for its numerous poor citizens is a disaster waiting to happen hence the decision of the Department of Economics takes positive measures aimed at proffering solutions to our welfare issues.

She requested for an extension of the existing structure to accommodate the increasing number of Staff and students.

"Is it possible to have a lecture room built upon the Alfred Marshall Lecture Room so that we can have an extra lecture room making it a total of four? His Excellency Sir, recall that this building is a donation to the Department of Economics by Alhaji Ishiaku Umar. Is it possible for us to have an extension so that it can accommodate our increased numbers of staff and students? For now, all I can say is that we are on good hands," she said.

The event which featured series of paper presentations that focused on equipping the students with knowledge that would make them become self reliant on graduation, also had in attendance the Branch Controller Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Awka, Mr Benedict Maduagwu, Head of Mass Communication Department of Unizik, Professor Chinwe Uzochukwu, among others.

The event which kick-started with tree planting was also the first Alumni homecoming of the Department of Economics.