22/12/2025
DR. AKABUIKE CHAMPIONS ALUMNI LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE AT UNAA AWKA 2025 ALUMNI FORUM
The Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Hon. Dr. Joe Akabuike, delivered the keynote address and presented the lead paper. In his presentation, Dr. Akabuike emphasized that the Lion Spirit, which defines the University’s philosophy, is not just a slogan; it is a mindset, a culture, and a lifelong badge carried by all its graduates. It represents boldness, integrity, resilience, the quest for excellence, and the courage to lead transformative change regardless of the obstacles.
The University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA), Awka Branch, on Friday, December 13, 2025, hosted the 2025 Alumni Forum at the ASUU Secretariat, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The forum, themed “Sustaining the Lion Spirit: Alumni in Service and Leadership,” attracted alumni, academics, professionals, and stakeholders from various sectors, and provided a platform for reflection on the enduring values of leadership, service, and excellence that define the alumni community.
Dr. Akabuike stressed the critical role the alumni of the University of Nigeria like Prof. Dora Akunyili, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Prof. Barth Nnaji and many other in institutional development and nation building, describing them as great contributors and reformers, playing critical roles in sustaining the ideals and legacy of the University through impactful service and visionary leadership.
He further urged narrated how the lion spirit inspired the courage, excellence, integrity, and resilience with which hr used to transform the health sector in Anambra, placing Anambra State on the first position in immunisation in Nigeria and also won the best Commissioner in the country in 2017. He also noted that the same lion spirit is guiding his monumental accomplishments in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka where he has initiated and accomplished some reforms, infrastructural upgrades, human capacity and improved quality healthcare delivery.
He stated that the alumni of the University of Nigeria have to consciously project the “Lion Spirit” by upholding integrity, professionalism, and commitment to societal development in their respective fields. Drawing from his experience in public health leadership, Dr. Akabuike noted that effective leadership is anchored on accountability, collaboration, and a deep sense of responsibility to both one’s alma mater and the wider society.
Public Relations Office
COOUTH Amaku, Awka.