Imo varsity honours UBA GMD, Alawuba, others with PhD

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, United Bank for Africa Plc, Oliver Alawuba, has been conferred with an honorary Doctorate Degree in Banking and Finance by the Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

Alawuba was honoured on Saturday during the school’s 8th convocation ceremony, an event witnessed by the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

Also in attendance were the former governor of the state, Dr Rochas Okorocha; the university’s Pro-Chancellor, Chief Ernest Nwapa; Vice-Chancellor, Prof. U. U. Chukwumaeze, vice-chancellors from various tertiary institutions in Nigeria, and captains of industries, among others.

The Vice Chancellor, Chukwumaeze, pointed out that the conferment is in recognition of Alawuba’s contribution to redefining public sector banking in Nigeria and across Africa.

He said, “The honour is in recognition of your numerous contributions to the financial sector in Nigeria and Africa and as one of the major drivers who contributed to taking modern banking to all state capitals and major cities in Nigeria where hitherto most banks primarily concentrated on the major commercial centres of the country.”

Alawuba, after the conferment, expressed his appreciation to the leadership of the university.

He said, “I am grateful to the management of IMSU for the honour and recognition, and I want to thank the amiable governor, the VC and other top executives of this great institution for the honour that you have shown me today. I promise that I will continue to do my best to make this school and indeed the indigenes of this great state proud. I also seize this opportunity to advise the young ones to be focused and put their best in their studies, so that one day they will also be recognised globally.”

Other awardees of the honorary Doctorate Degree include the former governor of Anambra State, Virgy Ngozi Etiaba; Chief Chika Emenike, CEO of Tummy Tummy Noodles, Chitec Motors Limited, and Kotec Group of Companies; as well as Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

Alawuba was the best graduating student in Food and Technology from the Abia State University.

He has won many awards and is also a member of several organisations and sports club. He is married to an Associate Professor, Nkeirula Oly-Alawuba, and they are blessed with seven children.

Alawuba is a seasoned banking professional with over 25 years of work experience.