It was Thursday, 21 October 2021, and it was a special convocation in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). During the event, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, singled out Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Indimi, OFR, the Founder and Chairman of indigenous oil producer, Oriental Energy Resources Limited for commendation.

It was for his uncommon business accomplishments, philanthropic excellence, local investments, and impact on the Nigerian economy.

The Ooni commended him at the University where an Honourary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration (DBA) was conferred on Indimi in recognition of his remarkable achievements as an entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Represented by a special assistant, Professor Jaleel Ojuade, the Ooni, who is also the UNN Chancellor noted that Dr Indimi was a truly deserving recipient of the honourary doctorate degree, which was only bestowed on exceptional individuals who had, through their imagination and actions, met the highest levels of accomplishments.

His Imperial Majesty further said, “Today’s convocation is a special one in honour of a truly distinguished Nigerian.

“Such recognitions are very important for an institution like the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, which was founded in the pursuit of excellence.

“I congratulate Dr Indimi for today’s recognition, which is coming from no less a university than the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the first indigenous university in the country founded by the Rt. Hon. (Dr) Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Owelle of Onitsha & the great Zik of Africa, who was also one of the strongest advocates and architects of a united Nigeria.”

Welcoming Dr Indimi as a full member of the UNN family, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Univarsity’s Governing Council, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, described the Oriental Energy Chairman as a true citizen who had risen from very humble beginnings to a globally renowned entrepreneur and whose philanthropy knew no boundaries.

The Pro-Chancellor also stated that Indimi truly deserved the honour and many other recognitions received across the world.

The same encomium was reiterated by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Charles Arizechukwu.

Igwe noted that Dr Indimi was known for his huge investments in the improvement of infrastructure in educational institutions across Nigeria and celebration of diverse cultures among various ethnicities in the country.

The UNN VC further said, “This award is remarkable because our premier university’s founder, Dr Azikiwe, had charged the University’s leadership to seek and reward uncommon achievements like the type that Dr Indimi has recorded, not just as an entrepreneur but also as a philanthropist.

“He is also recognised for his ingenuity, hard work and successes such as the Oriental Energy Resources Limited which he nurtured from the cradle to become a reputable player in the oil industry.”

Dr Indimi was also received by members of the Universty’s governing council, deputy vice-chancellors (DVCs), principal officers, provost and deans including Chairman of the Senate Ceremonials Committee, Prof Bennett C. Nwanguma; Registrar, Barrister (Dr) Christopher Igbokwe; DVC Administration, Prof Pat Uchenna Okpoko; DVC Academic, Prof Johnson Urama; DVC Enugu Campus, Prof Edith O.  Nwosu; University Librarian, Dr (Mrs) Promise Ifeoma Ilo, and Bursar, Dr Jude kenechukwu Edeh.

The leaders echoed that true to the UNN motto “To Restore the Dignity of Man”, as a philanthropist, Dr Indimi had for over a decade touched the lives of thousands of people and focused on restoring the dignity, pride and hope of victims of crisis, especially families who had been displaced by insurgency in North-East Nigeria.

In his acceptance of the award, Dr Indimi said, “This is a special university, and the honour is beyond expectation. I am happy to be here, a desire I always had when Zik of Africa opened the University when I was about 10 years old. It is my pleasure to accept this honourary doctorate degree. I look forward to working together to move this university forward.”

The Oriental Energy Chairman further thanked the Ooni of Ife and leadership of the University for the recognition and shared his determination to continue to enable local content and consistently invest in enabling environments for economic development.

It could be recalled that Dr Indimi founded Oriental Energy Resources Limited in 1990 in line with Nigeria’s Indigenous Operator Programme which was created with the objective of increasing the country’s crude oil production capacity and encouraging indigenous participation in the industry.

Since striking first oil on its Ebok asset in 2011, Oriental Energy has grown to become the leading marginal field producer in the country.

An astute businessman and great philanthropist, Dr Indimi’s humanitarian interventions cut across education, health, housing and social welfare.

Over 1,000 students in universities across Nigeria and beyond have benefitted from his scholarship scheme.

In 2020, Oriental Energy Resources Limited built a multi-million-naira Empowerment Centre in its host community as a sustainable enterprise and viable income generator for young persons.

Recently, the company donated a state-of-the-art Science Laboratory Complex to Community Grammar School, Ebughu in Mbo Local Government Area.

In addition, among other philanthropic initiatives by the Muhammadu Indimi Foundation, 100 houses were built to accommodate 600 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Bama, Borno state, in support of resettlement efforts.

With Dr Indimi at the special convocation were Oriental Energy’s Managing Director, Mustafa Indimi; the Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof Aliyu Shugaba, and Vice Chancellor of the Borno State University, Prof Umar Kyari Sandabe, among others.

Source: StreetReporters.ng

This post has already been read at least352 times!