Success Nwanedo
It was a rain of tributes as the University of Port Harcourt on Monday, 8th of March honoured late business mogul, Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs.
It was a day of events as the University organized art exhibitions, dance, drama and a night of tributes at the institution’s main campus, Choba.
The University’s acting vice-chancellor, Professor Steve Okodudu, in his tribute titled “Exit Of A Rare Gift to University of Port Harcourt and Humanity” stated that the death of our “benefactor, patron, father and Alumnus is certainly a direct tragedy for the University of Port Harcourt. This is because of the boundless philanthropy and assistance he rendered to the university.”
He stated that the university crossed path with late High Chief O.B Lulu-Briggs when efforts were in gear to improve on the infrastructural profile of the institution and that the lot fell on an equally illustrious son of Kalabari kingdom and then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nimi Briggs.
He summed up by saying “the entire world, from the continent of Africa to Asia, Europe and America, bear witness to his philanthropic gesture when Iniikeiroari V of Kalabari Kingdom was conferred with the Honourary Citizenship of the City of Houston and the key to the city handed over to him.
Former vice-chancellors of the University including Professors Nimi Briggs, Don Baridam and Joseph Ajienka also paid tributes to the fallen mogul.
Professor Nimi Briggs, in his tribute, said, “and so it was that he loved humanity without recourse to gender, creed, or ethnicity and did his utmost to further its course on the comprehension of the biblical truth that in the image of God He created Man.
Professors Ajienka and Baridam were not left out as they also added that, the university has lost a friend and benefactor.
In response, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs went down memory lane to describe how his late father grew up from a humble beginning and how he surfed through the troubles of life to achieve all that he did. He went on to give an account of how his father encouraged him to always share even when they were struggling to be comfortable.
He further disclosed that he was going to get the approval of Platform Petroleum, where he is the chairman to support students of University of Port Harcourt Women Association (UPWA) Secondary School Students and he also promised to commence a building project in the university.
The University Orator, Professor Bridget Nwanze earlier led Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, UNIPORT VC, Professor Steve Okodudu, former vice-chancellors, management staff, and guests to an art exhibition in honour of late High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs.
The art exhibition is slated to last for a week, showcasing the life and times of the late Industrialist.
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Source: https://lindaikejiblog.com
