By Maudlyn Eduke
The Vice Chancellor of the Niger Delta University (NDU), in Bayelsa State, Professor Samuel Edoumiekumo, says the conferment of the African Educationist of the Year award on him came as a huge surprise.
Prof. Edoumiekumo alongside former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, President of Ghana, Nana Akufo Ado, Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Gabriyesus Tedrus and others were given different awards by the Africa Leadership Magazine (ALM) at a virtual ceremony last week.
Edoumiekumo said he never knew that his modest efforts to make the NDU one of the best tertiary institution of learning in Africa was being monitored globally.
He thanked the ALM for recognizing his contributions in blending education and entrepreneurship into the university system and assured that with the support from his team, he will do even more.
“The goal here is creating opportunities for students to learn and have a skill before graduation. This is basically an empowerment strategy in preparing this children for life after school.
“I never knew that people somewhere were taking notes. So, I was surprised when I was told about the award. Its a huge honour, especially when you see the calibre of people that were also give various awards by ALM”.
Professor Edoumiekumo said a recognition of that sort is a call for him to do more and reiterated his commitment in contributing more to the educational sector in the continent.
“When a person is appreciated, it boosts your zeal to want to do more, to want to achieve what is normally perceived as unattainable” he said.
