Governor Alex Otti on Friday led dignitaries in celebrating the 83rd birthday of elder statesman and former Minister of Education and Health, Ihechukwu Chiedozie Madubuike, with a public tribute that also featured the launch of three books authored and edited in his honour.
The event, held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, brought together political leaders, academics, public intellectuals, and other prominent Nigerians who reflected on Prof. Madubuike’s contributions to education, public service, and national development.
Governor Otti described the celebrant as an exceptional scholar, accomplished administrator, family man, and one of Abia’s finest intellectuals.
“For us in Abia, we believe that we must celebrate our heroes while they are alive because any society that does not honour its heroes will lose its identity.
“Professor Madubuike has earned this celebration through a lifetime of scholarship, integrity and service,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor stressed that his administration places greater value on merit and service than on political considerations, adding that every Abian who has made meaningful contributions to society deserves recognition.
“We don’t care about political parties, where you worship or where you originally came from. What matters is your contribution to our State. Once you are our son or daughter and have served humanity with distinction, we will celebrate you because Abia comes first,” Gov. Otti declared.
Responding to suggestions made by the celebrant and other speakers, Governor Otti highlighted reforms in the education and healthcare sectors. He pointed to ongoing improvements at Abia State University, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, and Abia State College of Education Technical, as well as interventions aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery across the state.
He said the administration had rescued Abia State University from years of neglect through extensive rehabilitation of hostels and learning facilities. At the polytechnic, he noted that lost accreditations had been restored and new programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and 3D Printing had been introduced.
Governor Otti also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Abia Seaport project, revealing that feasibility studies are being undertaken by a Chinese firm to facilitate funding.
“We are serious about building the Abia Seaport, and it will happen in our generation. We are equally committed to delivering world-class healthcare and education because that is the future we owe our people,” Gov. Otti assured.
Chairman of the occasion and former Governor of Anambra State, Chris Ngige, described Prof. Madubuike as a patriotic Igbo man, an amiable personality, and an academic giant who played significant roles in the establishment of Federal Medical Centres in Igboland.
While Senator Ngige commended Governor Otti for honouring the former minister, he praised the quality of roads delivered by the administration, advised the Governor to use campaign periods to inspect projects, and urged Abians to continue supporting him.
Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejiocha, also commended Governor Otti for celebrating Prof. Madubuike and for what she described as the administration’s developmental strides. She described the celebrant as a rare gem who contributed immensely to the development of the country.
In his toast, Senator MAO Ohuabunwa thanked Governor Otti for institutionalising the celebration of individuals who have contributed to societal development and recalled Prof. Madubuike’s service as Commissioner for Finance under Chief Sam Mbakwe and later as Minister of Education, where he initiated policies that led to the establishment of state-owned, privately-owned, and open universities.
Former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Simeon Okeke, also identified with the celebrant and praised the transformational projects carried out in Abia by Governor Otti.
In his response, Prof. Madubuike commended Governor Otti for his education policies, which he said had brought a positive turnaround in the state and redefined governance in Abia.
“In three years, ‘CHIOMA’ (as his name goes) has conquered Abia State. Abia State was crumbling; the pillars in Abia were decaying. We call him CHIOMA. One of the factors of decay is bad leadership, but he has removed CHI ỌJỌỌ [bad omen] and has brought CHIOMA to Abia,” Prof. Madubuike stated.
The former minister noted that he pioneered the establishment of state universities, private universities, and open universities in Nigeria, observing that open universities have become one of the largest avenues for expanding access to higher education.
He explained that one of his books, Nigeria: A Crumbling State: Issues in Nation Building and Development, addresses the condition of the Nigerian state and issues surrounding nation building. He urged Governor Otti to make education a virtue rather than merely a tool and proposed the creation of a think tank to support policy development.
Prof. Madubuike further proposed the establishment of an Abia Institute of Technology or Abia University of Technology, arguing that the state would benefit more from a technology-focused institution than from duplicating conventional universities, adding that such an institution could help address the HND/B.Sc. discrepancy and expand opportunities for students.
The books reviewed by Chima Korieh and Jasper Uche were:
- A Crumbling State: Issues in Nation Building and Development, authored by Prof. Madubuike.
- Aka Ekpuchi Onwa: The Igbo Unbowed, authored by Prof. Madubuike.
- Triple Heritage: Essays in Honour of Ihechukwu Madubuike, Scholar, Administrator, and Public Intellectual, edited by Chima J. Korieh and Victor Ukaogu.
The ceremony featured the cutting of the birthday cake and the official launch of the three books.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Deputy Governor of Abia State, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, Sampson Uchechukwu Ogah, Chris Uche, David Onuoha Ogba, captains of industry, clergymen, and other distinguished guests.
