Honourable Dr Patrick Asadu representing Nsukka /Igboeze-South Federal constituency in the House of representatives, has bagged a lifetime achievement award from the Institute of African Studies (IAS), University of Nigeria Nzukka (UNN).
Dr Asadu received the honour on Wednesday in Nsukka during the 2nd memorial Chinua Achebe international conference organised by the Institute at UNN.
Speaking to newsmen after receiving the award, Hon Pat who doubles as the Chairman, House of Rep Committee on Ports, Habours and Waterways said the award would make him to do more for humanity.
According to him,”I am surprised two weeks ago when the institute informed me of the award which they said was because of many things I have done to my constituency.
“I do not even know the university is noticing my humble contributions to my constituency and humanity. This award will spur me to do more to my constituency and humanity,” he said.
Another notable personality also honoured by the Institute is the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who was conferred with the award of Lifetime achievement.
Expressing his appreciation for the award, Prof Soyinka said he was part and parcel foundation of UNN and wherever he found himself, he would identify with the university as part of the key root of his existence .
“I am happy on the turnout of people and the award. It has re-ignited my sense of belonging in UNN.
“I consider myself part and parcel of the foundation of the university. I will always identify with UNN wherever I find myself as the premier university of Nigeria, “he said.
The nobel laureate commended the natural green environment of UNN as it was not achieved by bulldozer.
He continued, “In many places it’s bull-dozer that dictates the architecture of the environment but here its natural.
“I congratulate the university management, especially the vice-chancellor and urged them to continue to maintain this natural environment,” he said.
Prof. Soyinka said he was not in UNN for speech making but to grace the occasion.
In a remark Prof Benjamin Ozumba, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN applauded the institute for attracting a world literary giant and noble lauerate whose contributions to literary world remain unquantifiable.
Hon Pat, receiving IAS’s Award of Lifetime Achievement from Prof. Emeka Nwabueze, Director of IAS at the 2nd Chinua Achebe Memorial Lecture in UNN on Wed.
“The university is happy that Nobel Lauerate who is a world literary icon is in UNN today live.
“UNN will continue to honour late Prof. Chinue Achebe through the annual memorial lecture as his literary. achievements made UNN a household name in every part of the world,” he said.
Earlier, the Director of the Centre, Prof. Emeka Nwabueze, said many people did not take him serious when he said he would bring Soyinka the nobel laureate to UNN.
According to Nwabueze,” I was convinced that Soyinka will grace the occasion since him and late Achebe are all giant in the literary world.
“UNN and the Institute will remain grateful to noble laureate for honouring our invitation, “he said.