By Felix Evwihor
Delta State Commissioner for Primary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, has bagged the South-South Nigeria Outstanding Academic Mentor of the Year Award.
The award ceremony, which was organised by Global Skills Hub, United Kingdom, in partnership with South-South Nigeria Excellence Awards, held at The Autograph, New GRA, Port Harcourt in Rivers State.
Speaking shortly to newsmen after receiving the award, Dr. Ashibogwu thanked the organisers for recognising his efforts in the academia, describing the award as a great honor he would continue to cherish.
He acknowledged the roles of many towards his journey up the academic ladder, including the State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, his (Ashibogwu) family, and his students for giving him the enabling environment, support and necessary critical challenges, which made him to work harder.
“I want to specially thank the organisers for finding me worthy among the numerous others who are eminently qualified in the South-South. This is a call for more work and by God’s grace, I will do more”, Ashibogwu said.
In a keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delta, (UNIDEL) Agbor, Prof. Stella Chiemeke, spoke on the importance of ‘Growth Mindset’ which, according to her, was key to meeting up with the demands of the future.
According to her, as against those with fixed mindset, those with growth mindset were open to new challenges aimed at improving their lives and the society at large.
Prof Chiemeke noted that embracing feedback mechanism, turning feedback into change catalysts, surrounding oneself with growth minded people, celebrating efforts and not only success were keys to growth mindset.
Earlier, Dr Akhere Akran, who spoke on behalf of the organisers stated that the awardees were selected based on their tireless support and contributions towards the growth of education over the years.
“Today, we stand here to celebrate the very best of the South-South. These awards are not popularity contest of the loudest votes.They are the product of rigorous,credible and bias free process. Only those whose works speak the loudest are honoured here”, Dr Akran stated.
Other awardees included; Professor Rowland Ndema-Egba, of the University of Calabar; former Vice- Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Lilian Salami; Professor Opudac Ekine, of the University of Port Harcourt; Professor Allen Agih, of the Niger Delta University; Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Professor Paulinus Owelle; and Professor Stella Chiemeke, Vice-Chancellor, University of Delta, Agbor.
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