Otti Hails Rhema University Founder, Unveils Plans to Honour Abia-Born Scholars

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has commended the Chancellor of Rhema University, Aba, Bro. Emma Okorie, for his vision and commitment to establishing the institution, describing it as a significant investment in education and human capacity development.

Otti gave the commendation on Saturday, October 24, 2026, during the university’s 9th to 13th Combined Convocation Ceremony in Aba, where he congratulated the graduands and applauded the institution’s leadership for its contributions to academic excellence and human development.

The governor also celebrated distinguished academics of Abia origin, particularly Prof. Ogwo E. Ogwo, whose contributions to university administration and academic development have earned him recognition.

He specifically acknowledged Ogwo’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University from 2000 to 2005, noting that the state was blessed with accomplished scholars and intellectuals whose achievements deserved recognition and encouragement.

“Our state is blessed with intellectuals, and our job is to create the enabling environment for people to excel in what they are doing,” Otti said.

The governor further announced that the Abia State Government would host renowned Abia-born Professor of English Language, Prof. Benson Omenihu Oluikpe, on October 31, 2026, to celebrate his 90th birthday and recognise his immense contributions to scholarship.

He also disclosed plans to honour another distinguished Abia-born professor of biomedical sciences based in the United States in December, revealing that the scholar had agreed to return home for the celebration.

According to Otti, the planned events demonstrate his administration’s commitment to celebrating accomplished indigenes whose contributions to knowledge, professional excellence and societal development have brought honour to the state.

He added that the government would also celebrate the 80th birthday of Rhema University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ogbonnaya Onwudike, next year.

Otti commended the university for honouring Prof. Nnenna Oti, former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, describing her as a distinguished academic whose principled conduct during the 2023 Abia governorship election helped change the state’s political trajectory.

In his address, the Chancellor of Rhema University and Founder of Living Word Ministries International, Aba, Bro. Emma Okorie, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to equipping individuals with knowledge, sound character and values necessary for meaningful contributions to society.

Okorie stressed that education should extend beyond the acquisition of academic qualifications to encompass moral development, integrity and spiritual transformation.

“We are here to equip humanity with knowledge,” he said, emphasising that genuine education must shape not only the intellect but also the heart, character, conduct and relationships of individuals.

He also praised Prof. Nnenna Oti for her determination to uphold what is right, citing her conduct during the 2023 governorship election in Abia State as an example of integrity and principled leadership.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor of Rhema University, Prof. Ogwo E. Ogwo, said the institution was established to equip humanity and produce graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to national and global development.

He expressed confidence that the graduands would uphold the university’s values and distinguish themselves in their respective fields, bringing honour to their families and the institution.

Ogwo announced that Rhema University had produced its first set of medical doctors, describing the achievement as a major milestone in the institution’s growth and development.

He reiterated the university’s zero-tolerance policy on cultism and other social vices, stressing its determination to raise responsible graduates equipped to contribute positively to society.

The Pro-Chancellor urged the graduands to embrace responsibility, uphold the institution’s values and become agents of positive change in their communities and beyond.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ogbonnaya Onwudike, commended Governor Otti for his leadership, noting that his emergence had altered the trajectory of development in Abia State.

Onwudike described the convocation as a celebration of transformed lives and the preparation of graduates for meaningful contributions to society.

He also renewed his call for private universities in Nigeria to benefit from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), arguing that such support would strengthen their capacity to deliver quality education and contribute to national development.

Highlights of the ceremony included the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on Sis. Chinyere Emma Okorie and Prof. Nnenna Oti in recognition of their contributions and accomplishments.