Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
A lecturer at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Professor Joseph Okwesili Nkwede, has pledged an unwavering commitment to service
The academia made this known on Friday, April 12, 2024 following his recent promotion to the esteemed rank of Professor in the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ebonyi State University.
In his acceptance speech made available to SpringNews, the academia expressed gratitude to the Department of Political Science and the university administration for their support.
His speech reads “it gives me great pleasure indeed to warmly welcome all of you especially the stakeholders here gathered to this important convocation arising from the official pronunciation of my ascendancy to Professorial cadre in the Ivory Tower.
“What I must not fail to do however, is to seize this opportunity to publicly register the debt of my gratitude to the Department of Political Science Ebonyi State University and her leadership for the humanitarian impulse which paved way for me to excel.
“Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate the Management of Ebonyi State University for midwifing the process that earned me this feat despite the daunting challenges along the line”.
Drawing inspiration from renowned scholars such as Albert Einstein and Karl Marx, Prof. Nkwede stressed the importance of being a person of value and utility in academia. Rejecting societal expectations of grandeur, he reaffirmed his commitment to upholding academic integrity and fostering positive change within the university community.
He reiterated his steadfast commitment to his faith and principles, urging others to join him in the pursuit of excellence grounded in moral integrity. With a firm resolve to navigate the challenges ahead with grace and determination, he called upon the support of his colleagues and the guidance of a higher power.
“I am just a professor whose primary assignment is to Profess Governance and Development Studies in the best practices within the established rules and regulations. I will not do otherwise. I am making a firm promise to be a model for zero tolerance while performing this onerous task.
“My job as a member of the Universal Church is far better than this trial and for your information, I have not left serving my Lord. To all those concerned, please stay in your lane. Do not bring anything that will distract me except what is right. Thank you so much for avoiding me.
“I am likely to face difficult situations on my way to greatness but by cooperating with the grace of God, I shall surely win the race. I will not allow the burning zeal of greatness to rot away or go untapped.
“I will work harder to actualize it because there is no shortcut to greatness. St. Paul testified that through the grace of God, he had worked harder than the other apostles (cf. 1 Cor.15: 10). I would rather pray to the Great God, to lead me firmly on my way to greatness no matter how tortuous it seems to be.
“I therefore, enjoin you to share in the greatness of Christ personified in me, while praying for all those who aspire to greatness that they may remain steadfast and very consistent in their pursuit for God will surely uplift them. Amen.
“While thanking the Almighty God for this Professorial Promotion, I also pray that it does not become a reason for my disgrace and humiliation in this World and the hereafter,” he stated.