The ancient city of Owo, Ondo State south western Nigeria stood still on Saturday, 10th December 2022 as Achievers University conferred an Honorary Degree on Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
According to a statement signed by Uwa Suleiman, Spokesperson to the Minister, the well-attended ceremony which had dignitaries and eminent scholars in attendance was the highlight of the Institution’s 12th convocation and 15th year foundation anniversary celebrations.
In his address at the highly scholarly event, the University Chancellor, Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representative, described Professor Pantami, as “one of us – an emerging leader of distinction and candor. A leader with focus and clear vision. Your choice for this great honour is not mistaken given some groundbreaking accomplishments in the sector you so zealously and effectively superintend over. Permit me to heartily congratulate you for an honour well deserved”.
In his remarks, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, the Executive Secretary National Universities Commission (NUC), emphasized that “Professor Pantami is one of the best brains in Africa and a leader who is an invaluable asset to the academia in particular and the continent at large”.
He further noted that “the opportunities and interventions the Honourable Minister has brought to the academic community are unarguably unprecedented.
He has been a driving force in the sector’s recent efforts at upgrading and totally revamping the countrys educational curriculum to global standards in line with modern realities.
He urged the Academia to adequately explore the “God-given asset in Professor Pantami as other nations are waiting for the opportunity to snatch him away, having recognized his capacity to deliver and his uncanny ability at solving complex problems”.
Dr Bode Ayorinde, Pro chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of Achievers University, in his Convocation Address while congratulating the Honourable Minister, described him as “an achiever already and therefore, proper to be deservedly honoured by Achievers University. We are greatly honoured to welcome you formally into our community and we are confident that you will bring your exceptional leadership qualities and intellectual prowess to bear in our noble institution. We also believe that you are now our voice at the Federal Executive Council”
The royal institution was not left out as the Olowo of Owo, His imperial majesty Oba (Dr) Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III remarked that the echoes of giant strides recorded by the Digital Economy sector under the Minister’s leadership have reverberated throughout the country and beyond.
“The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Pantami has shown us by example that anything is possible. The strategies he employed to turn around the fortunes of the ICT sector and transform it into the largest digital economy in Africa, should be emulated by other leaders. The people of Owo kingdom are honoured to have one of immense intellectual standing in our midst and as one of us. I am particularly confident that as a part of this institution, the kingdom as a whole will benefit from your ingenuity”.
Recall that Professor Pantami, has continued to initiate and implement novel strategies in his digital transformation drive and has brought unprecedented technological interventions to tertiary institutions in all six geo-political zones across the country.
