The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor for Corporate Services, Ms Emem Usoro, has been conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration (honoris causa) by Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU). The award was presented during the institution's 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th convocation ceremonies held in Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.
Recognition for Contributions
The university stated that the honour was in recognition of Ms Usoro's immense contributions to the advancement of education and national development, which have had lasting impacts. She was honoured alongside other prominent Nigerians, including the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Managing Director of Hensek Engineering Limited, Engr. Uwem Okoko; Engr. Oliver Ebong; Pastor Inyang Udo Tobby; and Engr. Elvis Effiong Osung, who each received different honorary degrees from the university.
Usoro's Acceptance Speech
In her acceptance speech, the Deputy Governor lauded the ongoing economic reforms introduced by the apex bank, stressing that the systems developed and policies implemented by the CBN saved the country's economy from disaster. She commended the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government for its collaboration with the CBN in building a resilient economy, adding that the partnership has strengthened economic growth and promoted sustainable development. She also thanked the Governor of the CBN, Yemi Cardoso.
Usoro praised the administration's economic reforms, stating that the CBN is actively implementing measures to stabilise the economy and avert potential crises. She listed other economic salvaging policies of the apex bank, including the alignment of the nation's monetary policies with its fiscal reforms. According to her, this alignment has resulted in exchange rate and macroeconomic stability, boosted economic growth, and fostered an inclusive economy for sustainable development.
She said: "At the Central Bank of Nigeria, we are working hard to build a resilient economy that would support your dreams and make you part of a global economy that is full of immense opportunities. We have developed systems and implemented policies that brought the country back from economic disaster and are positioning the economy to better serve all segments of society. In great synergy with the federal government, we have aligned our monetary policies with its fiscal reforms, which have already achieved exchange rate and macroeconomic stability, boosted economic growth, and is fostering an inclusive economy for sustainable development."
Message to Graduates
Usoro pointed out that the graduating students are the future and the promise of Nigeria's great tomorrow, emphasising that Nigeria's economy cannot thrive without brilliant minds entering the workforce and contributing to the country's growth trajectory. She noted that countries without vast mineral resources, such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and others, achieved significant economic development by capitalising on the brilliant minds of their young people and their abilities to build, invent, and innovate.
According to her: "Countries without vast mineral resources like Singapore, Japan, South Korea, etc., have achieved significant economic prosperity and development by leveraging on the brilliant minds of their young men and women and their abilities to build, invent, and innovate. So let your knowledge become a powerful tool for positive impact in the country. This is why it gladdens my heart exceedingly to see before me many brilliant young minds graduating from this great university today. You are our future, the promise of our country's great tomorrow, our new success stories, and we look forward to your energy, your ideas, and your inventions, whether in technology, finance, business, entrepreneurship, creative industry, to mention a few."
Commendation for Senate President
She commended the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, for his vision in establishing AKSU when he was the Governor of the state. The institution, she said, has become a fast-growing one with significant milestones in academia, research, infrastructure, and cultural development, and is now ranked among the top universities in Nigeria.
She added: "The vision and boldness of our dear President in dreaming of and building a university that is already creating great impacts in such a short time is highly commendable, and I extend my special gratitude to him for this brilliant foundation that he has made for this institution."
A total of 6,779 first-degree graduands and 746 postgraduate students graduated from the institution within the period under review.
