By Sam Hart
Today, Monday, August 6, 2018, all roads will lead to the International Conference Centre, Umuahia for the public presentation of the book A SCHOLAR IN GOVERNANCE: A KALEIDOSCOPE ON OKEZIE VICTOR IKPEAZU, PH.D.
The book, produced by the Academic Community at Abia States University under the headship of Distinguished Professor Eleazar Uche Ikonne, is the University's way of appreciating one of their own who has made them proud in governance.
The name of the book is apt for indeed, it is a kaleidoscope on the Governor of Abia State, a consumate academic who heeded the call of his people to serve them in the political sphere.
Dr. Ikpeazu's governance style in Abia State validates his background. As a scientist, he dissects every challenge to its molecular level to identify the root cause and profer incisive solutions. As a researcher, he wants to see the data backing every claim and the numbers backing every assertion. As a teacher, he takes his time to painstakingly convey his point to the clear understanding of his officials.
Working with him is an academic programme worthy of a degree certificate at the end of your tour of duty.
Divided into 13 rich Chapters, the book begins with an introduction setting the foundation for the reader to understand the subject they are about to unravel and proceeds with a deep dive into the background of the subject encompassing his birth, academic history, career trajectory and challenges surmounted along the path of growth and development.
It is both a hard book and a soft book. Hard in the sense that it discusses in detail, the governance model and vision of the subject as well as all the challenges he has had to face on the path of becoming Governor and retaining his seat as Governor of Abia State. The book charts a soft path when it unveils the human side of the subject. His activities and antecedents while he was in school, how he met his wife, his life as a family man and how he relaxes in the midst of his gruelling schedule.
The book is novel in the sense that it covers all bases. It is a mini autobiography as it captured verbatim, the recollections of the subject about his family history, background, academic pursuit, career path and life up till the production of the book. It is also a testimonial as it contains submissions and comments on the subject by a wide range of people beginning from his wife of over 25 years to his close staff, political and social associates.
The book can also be described as a leadership manual and handbook as it explores the values, vision, mission and governance philosophies of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
Finally, the book can also be described as an inspirational handbook from which a young readers will learn the virtues of patience, perseverance, academic seriousness and humility.
Kudos must at this point go to the visioner behind the project and Vice Chancellor of the Abia State University for his foresight in commissioning the documentation of the life of this collosus.
Even more noble is the fact that the proceeds of the public presentation of the book will be dedicated to the construction and equipping of the Post Graduate Laboratory of the Faculty of Biochemistry at the Abia State University. The implication of this is that the project seeks to preserve the legacy of the subject and preserve his memory in the Academic space for generations to come.
It is therefore expected that Abians from all walks of life and residents of Abia State will find their way to the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, to be a part of history. Associates of the Governor from different strata of endeavours are already in Umuahia for the event.
To God be the glory for the wisdom in instituting the project. To God be the glory for its successful midwifing and Bravo Dr. Okezie Victor Chibuikem Ikpeazu. The Scholar in Governance.
Sam Hart is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communications
0 Comments