Not less than eighteen public servants from across the nation including Bayelsa State were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees over the weekend.
The conferment ceremony which held in Yenagoa was done by the Cardinal Jacob Ebipre Alari Theological University, Baltimore State of Maryland, United States of America (USA).
The intellectual ceremony which opened with the procession of Principal Officers of the Varsity led by its Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Cardinal Professor Jacob Alari, was witnessed by the creme de la creme of the society including the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, who gave the opening remarks and charged honourees to justify the honour bestowed on them by being good ambassadors of the institution.
In his welcome address, Chancellor of the University, and Chairman Advisory Board of the Cardinal Jacob Ebipre Alari Theological University, Baltimore , USA, Prof. Ebipre Alari, stated that the event was in its third edition band organised to recognise men and woman who have impacted society in their chosen endeavours beyond the realm of theology.
” I am particularly elated for the success of this year’s edition, these awardees are carefully selected in recognition of their contributions to the society, I am grateful for the chairman of today’s occasion and Bayelsa State Commissioner for Education, Dr Gentle Emelah for his dedication to this course. Again, the invaluable contribution of the Royal Father of the day, King G. T., Pere of Kerebiri in Mein Kingdom, Bomadi Local Government Area and the University Management, Staff and Students for their co-operations for this huge success”.
Prof. Alari reiterated that it was his own way of contributing to the development of Bayelsa State and the society at large by ensuring that the honourees of the honorary doctorate degrees give more to humanity through their various calling.
” The Awardees are now ambassadors of the university as I charge them to continually uphold the tenets of service to humanity and God Almighty to impact positively to create a better society”
Bayelsa Education Commissioner, Dr Gentle Emelah expressed joy for the caliber of personality the University has selected for the awards,
“This is a milestone in the history of Bayelsa State, these Honourees have contributed to the development of the State in various sectors of life, it is my believe that the best is yet to come for this institution, I look forward to partner with you and your management to revamp our education sector, Bayelsa belong to all of us, and no contributions will be too much to make, once again, congratulations to all those honoured in this third edition”
The 18 awardees conferred with the distinguish Honorary Doctorate Degrees include:
Hon. Kenbo Basil – Doctor of History
Mr. Samuel Aidorkhare- Doctor of Security Risk Management
Mr. Tikpa Clement – Doctor of Business Administration
Hon. Dickson Sam Ebinimi- Doctor of Banking and Finance
Sir Ewrudjakpo Christopher – Doctor of Education
Mr. Yamah Waripamu- Doctor of Sociology
And
Chief Saviour Frank Ibegi – Doctor of Human Resources Management
Others are:
Mrs. Helen Inafa Bob – who bagged the Doctor of Guidance and Counseling
Mr. Ekadi Francis – Doctor of Public Health
Mr Impakaboari Kio-Lawson – Doctor of Public Administration
Mr. Akandi Olatimimene – Doctor of Education
And Mr. Moses Ayibatari – Doctor of Education
The list also include: .
Mr. Zingi Amaebite Zingi- -Doctor of Divinity
Mr. Victor Christopher – Doctor of Media Studies
Per Lindbergh – Doctor of Divinity
Mr. Itaribopangimi Freedom Moses-Ugo- Doctor of Entomology
Mr. Ayibatari Easterday- Doctor of Communication
And lastly, but by no means the least, was Comrade Amatare Mozimo who was honoured with the Doctor of Strategic Communications honorary degree.
Speaking on behalf of doctorate awardees, Dr. Helen Inafa Bob, Expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the Theological University based in Bayelsa State.
” It is with great pleasure that I, Dr Helen Inafa Bob on behalf of all Honourees stand in this podium to say thank you to this institution for the confidence bestowed on us, it simply means more work, to whom more is given, more is expected and I am optimistic that we will not disappoint now or never”
The event witnessed the delivery of two lectures. One by a financial expert, Engr. Austin Okhide on “Business Lecture” who said : ” The dynamics of the society have changed, we need to tap into modern ways of making money and allow our resources to make money for us, we do not encourage Ponzi schemes but collectively using modern technology we can make a huge difference in our bank account and leave comfortable” and the second was by media mogul, Dr. Inebaraton Preye who spoke on the topic “Globalisation and the Development Question in Bayelsa State!”
” Until we start to look inwards to solve our problems and summount our peculiar challenges, it will be difficult to put to bed the endless development problems bedevilling our State, the words of Bishop Matthew Kukah seems undisputable when he said: Globalization is now before us like a broken dam, and we either learn how to swim, fish or being drowned by it,”.
The third edition of the annual Education Summit by the Cardinal Jacob Ebipre Alari Theological University, may have come and gone, but the last impact of its message and honoured shall continue to linger for years to come!.