The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) College of Medicine will on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 hold its second Annual Meri Award ceremony.

The award, instituted by the current Provost of the College, Professor Uchenna Ekwochi in 2024, is aimed at recognizing top-performing staff, including lecturers and non-teaching personnel, to foster excellence and motivation within the workforce of the College

The Award Ceremony which will be chaired by the a member of ESUT Governing Council and Founder Agunecheibe Chinedu Onu, Founder/President, Michael Okpara Leadership and Entrepreneurship Centre Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, will hold at the ESUT College of Medicine (ESUCOM) Auditorium, Parklane, Enugu commencing from 11am

The 2^nd edition of the ESUCOM Merit Award Ceremony will see some staff of the College honoured in the following categories: Best lecturers in the Faculties of College of Medicine, Best performing Non-Teaching Staff, Best performing Support (Casual) staff and Top 3 Globally Visible Researchers in the College.

According to the Provost, of the College, Professor Uchenna Ekwochi, “The top 3 globally visible researchers were selected using their scores in globally recognised research indices like H- index, i-10 index, number of citations and total reads as documented in Google scholar and Research gates.

This is one of the activities in the strategic plans of the Board of ESUT College of Medicine aimed at recognition of the meritorious services provided by the awardees and for motivation of the staff of the College towards excellent service delivery to the University.

It could be recalled that during the first edition of the Merit Award in December 2024, five staff were honoured for their outstanding performances during the year.

The pioneer recipients were: Best Lecturer in Faculty of Clinical Medicine went to former Provost, Prof. Frank Ezugwu; Best Lecturer in Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Prof. Samuel Ghasi; Best Lecturer in Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof. Joy Ebele Ikekpeazu; Best Performing Non-Teaching Staff, Mrs Philomina Chinwe Ogbodo and the Best Performing Casual Staff, Mrs Ijeoma Ugwu.

Interestingly, Mrs Ijeoma Ugwu, recognised as Best Performing Support (Casual) Staff, was offered automatic employment by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, ESUT, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa with immediate effect

“The Annual Merit Award is ESUCOM management’s way of saying thank you for the excellence service you have rendered to ESUCOM. It is also our way of telling the world how much premium we placed in quality service. The award will serve as a stimulant to other staff to strive for excellence. I thank our able Vice Chancellor and University Management for their great supports to College of Medicine,” Professor Uchenna Ekwochi, Provost of the College, said in an interview.

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By Amaechi Agbo

Owerri – The Vice-Chancellor, Imo State University (IMSU), Professor Uche Chukwumaeze has underscored the importance of research in the socioeconomic development of nations.The erudite scholar noted that there would be no development and civilization without research.

Prof Chukwumaeze stated this while declaring open the two-day 4th International Conference, Merit Awards and Induction Ceremony of the Association of Management and Social Sciences Researchers of Nigeria (AMSSRN) holding at the University’s Auditorium, on Wednesday.

In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor underscored the importance of research in reshaping humanity and urged the association to encourage group research in order to enhance mentorship

“We thank God that this Association exists which is in recognition of the fact that research is the hallmark of development. Without research, there will not be civilization, it is key to the economic recovery of any nation.

“When research goes to the area of the economy, you will understand the importance of Management and Social Sciences in our society

“The meaning of what you are doing here in our university is that you are interested in the development of this country. I will add that by the time you conclude your conference, that you should push for the encouragement of the need for group research. Oftentimes, individual research don’t acheieve the expected goal. There is enough resources for group research such that the professors will mentor the younger ones,” the VC said.

The Vice-Chancellor who is a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) pleaded with the State Governor to support research and encourage indeginous researchers to grow by supporting them.

“It’s on this note that I want to plead to the Accountant General to carry the message to His Excellency, that we need encouragement especially on the group research. And when the State Government wants to embark on any project, this university and the association are ready to lead the research. The idea that international bodies should come and do research here and there, sometimes you realize that the answer lies within us. We have professionals who can do these researches and submit findings to the government,” he stated.

In her opening speech, AMSSRN President, Prof Uche Lucy Onyekwelu, thanked the management of the University for their hospitality and support stressing that the association will work collaboratively with the management in reshaping society through research.

She examined the key mandates of the association and advocated for effective synergy between the gown and the town in order to reconfigure Nigeria’s socioeconomic potentials and upshoot her academic trajectory

“Let me on behalf of the Executive Board of AMSSRN, Express our gratitude to the educational friendly Governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma for his strides in advancement of scholarship in Imo State. To our host and father, the Vice-Chancellor of this great university, Professor Chukwumaeze, for your commitment in promoting research, which is one of the core mandates of the University. You didn’t only welcome us into your university, but you also made our stay here hospitable. You provided all we needed for conducive interface and made time available to be with us when we paid you and your management a courtesy visit. We are greatly honoured, Prof.

“This year’s conference is not only a scholarly gathering but also a celebration of our shared commitment to excellence and resilience in research, scholarship and mentorship. In addition to robust academic deliberations, this occasion features the induction of new members and the conferment of AMSSRN’S Distinguished Personality Awards on a selected few individuals whose contributions to Good Governance, Educational /Human Capital Development, Research, and Scholarship have been exemplary and resonates with AMSSRN visions. We congratulate all inductees and awardees, whose untiring sacrifices and unwavering dedication to philanthropy have merited the recognitions.
“Permit me to emphasize that the tripod of Research, Scholarship and Mentorship forms the bedrock of AMSSRN’s vision. We in the association believe and have been running an advocacy to affirm that ‘Research without Mentorship lacks Continuity’, Scholarship without research lacks substance, and mentorship without scholarship lacks direction.

“Our vision is to strategically connect the gown and the town ensuring that the intellectual outputs of our scholars directly inform industry practices, government policies, and societal transformation,” she said.

Speaking on the theme of the Conference, “Integrating Digital Innovation for Research and Development: Issues, Challenges and Strategies” the Keynote Speaker, Mr Justice Okoye challenged researchers and students to leverage on the evolution of scientific discoveries to improve on their professions.
Mr Okoye who is also the Chairman, Imo State Internal Revenue Services, opined that research is at the heart of human capital and educational advancement and thanked AMSSRN for their commitment in that regard.

On his part, the Special Guest of Honour and Accountant General of Imo State, Dr Linus Okafor charged the participants on the deployment of artificial intelligence in resource management. While expaciating on the gains of AI, Dr Okoye who stood in for the State Governor, warned the participants against making AI their master.

Highlights of the first day of the 4th International Conference which ends today in IMSU, Owerri were confirmenent of different awards to deserving individuals as well as induction of 68 new members into the various ranks of the association

Day two of the conference will witness paper presentations.

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