Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, has announced plans to establish the DOVIS Scholarship Scheme for exceptional first-class students, with continued academic excellence required to retain the award.
Ikpeazu made the announcement during his 62nd birthday celebration and the Fifth Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Colloquium, organised by the Pa Ismael Ikpeazu Library and DOVI Scientific Leadership Centre.
The colloquium was themed: “Empowerment Beyond Handouts: Building Responsible, Skilled and Self-Reliant Young People for Sustainable Development.”
Ikpeazu stressed that sustainable empowerment went beyond distributing money and material items, highlighting the need to invest in education, skills acquisition, mentorship and enterprise development.
Reflecting on his tenure as Governor of Abia State from 2015 to 2023, the ambassador cited agricultural empowerment programmes that equipped young people with poultry facilities, veterinary services, professional training and practical experience to establish their own businesses.
He explained that the approach prepared beneficiaries for independent business ownership by combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills.
In his opening remarks, former Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson and event moderator, Kimiebi Ebienfa, described Ikpeazu as a scholar, statesman, diplomat and public servant whose career had been shaped by scholarship, humility and service.
Ebienfa observed that the colloquium had evolved from discussions on entrepreneurship and economic growth to examining the limitations of conventional empowerment programmes and the need for sustainable human capital development.
Delivering the keynote lecture virtually, Professor John Ihendinihu, a Professor of Accounting and Taxation at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, said genuine empowerment should be measured by the capacity created rather than the resources distributed.
Ihendinihu highlighted initiatives introduced under Ikpeazu’s administration, including the Made-in-Aba campaign, international training for local artisans, the Enyimba Automated Shoe Company and the Enyimba Automated Garment Factory.
He noted that the initiatives sought to promote local production, create jobs and improve market access for indigenous businesses.
Also speaking, Professor Kelechi Okonta, a Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, examined Ikpeazu’s record under the theme: “Putting a Human Face to Governance in Nigeria: The Okezie Ikpeazu Story (2015–2023).”
Okonta highlighted the administration’s focus on local enterprise, education, agriculture, healthcare and social welfare, while acknowledging challenges involving salaries, pensions, infrastructure and the sustainability of some projects.
Ikpeazu expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing him Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain and commended the President’s economic reforms.
The ambassador also thanked his family, friends and political associates for their support throughout his academic, professional and political journey.
The event attracted guests attending physically and virtually from different parts of the world, who paid tribute to Ikpeazu and celebrated his contributions to public service, youth development and community advancement.
The celebration ended with goodwill messages and birthday tributes to Ikpeazu, who was born on October 18, 1964, in Umuebere, Umuobiakwa, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State.
