…As Echeta Desmond Defines Their Intellectual Footprints As Indelible 

By Ikenna Orioha

Profound joy filled the hearts of erudite scholars, Professors F.N. Emerenini, I.C. Okonkwo and K.G. Egbulonu as they were celebrated for their academic impact to  graduates and undergraduates of Imo State University (IMSU) Owerri and the larger society.

The Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Imo State University Owerri, where the trio retired as lecturers, had on Friday, 22nd of August, 2025, at Gloran Hotel, Owerri, organized the event, which was tagged, “A Day Of Celebration/Send Forth – Honoring Our Retired Professors: F.N. Emerenini, I.C. Okonkwo and KG Egbulonu”.

In his remarks, Head of Department of Economics, Dr. Okechukwu J. Akamike, said the Professors’ teachings, mentorships and love are greatly helping those who have encountered them to shape their lives and having a fantastic future, appreciating them for contributing immensely to the growth of education in IMSU.

In her address, the President of Nigerian Economic Students Association (NESA), James Blessing, eulogized the celebrants for impacting rich academic knowledge in those who passed through them.

“We gathered here today not only to revere you, but to celebrate you on your great impact to the society especially your academic mentorship which is helping us to shape our careers”, the NESA President added.

With the Deputy Vice Chancellor of IMSU, Academics, Prof. Martins Onu, saying the celebrants deserve to be celebrated having greatly added to the advancement of quality teaching and learning.

Lauding the Professors for promoting quality academics in IMSU, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. B.O.T. Ikegwoha, hinted that government is doing its best to improve quality and affordable education in Imo State, as billions of naira has been invested in IMSU, hailing Governor Hope Uzodimma for being an education lover.

Delivering a lecture titled “Retired, But Not Tired: Continuing The Professional Mandate In Human Capital Development”, the Director of Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Ohaji, Dr. Desmond Okechukwu Echeta, defined the trio as fine gentlemen who had indelibly left intellectual footprints which he believes are shaping Imo State socially, educationally and economically.

“On behalf of the Department, Faculty, alumni and students, I extend profound gratitude. Your intellectual footprints are indelible. Your lives remind us that education is not merely about the transmission of knowledge, but the transformation of society. And so, we say thank you for your service and welcome you to this golden chapter of your lives — where wisdom becomes more portable, influence more direct and legacies more enduring. Indeed, you are retired, but never tired.

“Similarly, in Nigeria, retired professors often remain active as consultants for government reforms in education, agriculture and energy – demonstrating that intellectual capital is not bound by age, but by ongoing relevance.

“Debates around mandatory retirement reflect this tension. Scholars argue that imposing arbitrary age cut-offs risks wasting valuable expertise, institutional memory and mentorship potential”, Dr. Echeta maintained.

Expressing gratitude to the students, Faculty of Social Sciences, the Department of Economics, IMSU Management, the Commissioner for Education, government officials, among others, for celebrating them, on behalf of the Professors, I.C Okonkwo, who was the former Vice Chancellor of IMSU, said their hearts are filled with deep joy, praying to God to continue to sustain them and their families and those who celebrated them.

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