In celebration of academic excellence and civic leadership, the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has conferred Distinguished Public Service and Leadership Awards on Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
The recognition formed part of the golden jubilee celebration of the Faculty of Social Sciences, held at the Akin Deko Main Auditorium on Monday.
The Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Professor Edoba Omoregie (SAN), presented the awards in acknowledgment of the duo’s impactful contributions to governance and public service.
Hon. Idahosa, an alumnus of the university, received the awards on behalf of himself and the governor, expressing deep gratitude for the honour.
“It is a privilege to be part of this historic celebration marking 50 years of the Faculty of Social Sciences,” Idahosa said. “This milestone reflects the faculty’s unwavering dedication to scholarship, research, and societal development.”
He praised the faculty for nurturing generations of professionals who have shaped Nigeria’s development across disciplines such as economics, sociology, political science, and geography.
Idahosa also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to advancing education through inclusive policies, infrastructure development, and equitable access to learning—especially for children with special needs.
“As we mark this golden jubilee, we celebrate UNIBEN’s legacy in shaping the intellectual fabric of our nation,” he added. “Governor Okpebholo’s administration remains resolute in its mission to elevate education at every level.”
Addressing students directly, Idahosa urged them to reject cultism and other social vices, emphasizing their role as future leaders and architects of a prosperous Nigeria.
The event’s keynote lecture, titled “We Will All Be Consumed Unless,” delivered by Professor Brownwell Akungbowa Amadasun, sparked robust engagement from attendees. In his address, Amadasun critically examined Nigeria’s historical challenges, attributing the country’s persistent divisions to the ethnic and religious allegiances of its founding leaders.
“Our early leaders prioritized ethnicity over unity, and today we are still grappling with the consequences,” Amadasun said.
He warned that continued allegiance to divisive ideologies threatens national cohesion and progress. “We will all be consumed unless we move away from it,” he concluded.
The ceremony highlighted the intersection of academic legacy, leadership, and national discourse, reinforcing the role of universities in shaping both minds and society.
