Businessman seeks govt support to private universities to improve education

Mr. Obioma Okorie, a businessman from Umuahia, has urged the state and federal governments to include private universities in their education intervention programs.

Okorie made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, shortly after receiving an Honorary Degree in Business Management from Gregory University, Uturu in Abia.

The award was presented at the privately owned university’s sixth convocation ceremony.

He stated that private universities make significant contributions to the growth of education in the country and, as such, should be assisted and supported by the government.

“All levels of government have an obligation to support private universities in the country because they contribute significantly to the growth of the education sector.”

“Owners of private universities contribute their fair share to society and humanity, and the government should naturally support their efforts as a morale booster,” Okorie said.

He thanked the university’s administration and Chancellor, Prof. Gregory Ibe, “for the honor done to me,” adding that he would not take the award for granted.

He promised that he would continue to identify with the institution in any tangible way possible as a way of repaying the honor bestowed upon him.

Okorie also praised the chancellor for taking the initiative and venturing into educational development, calling his efforts “worthy of emulation.”

“I will undoubtedly emulate his gesture,” he said, promising to immediately begin rebuilding his Alma Mater, Comprehensive Secondary School, Ozara in Imo.

Okorie, the Chairman and CEO of Obioma Enterprises Nigeria Ltd., stated that the gesture would be a way for him to give back to society.

In addition, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr Joshak Habila, who received an honorary doctorate degree at the event, stated in an interview that private universities had helped to stabilize the university academic calendar and ensured that students graduated on time.

“There is nothing like academic program disruption in private universities because lecturers do not go on strike,” he said.

Habila, a former Commissioner of Police in Abia, also stated that private universities not only instill discipline in students but also despise cultism and other social vices prevalent in public institutions.