The member representing the South East on the Governing Boardof the North East Development Commission, Chief Sam Onuigbo has been honoured with the award of AMBASSADOR PLENIPOTENTIARY by the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike for his unqualifiable support to the institution.
The University had in a letter notifying Hon Onuigbo of the award date 2, December 2025 and endorsed by Prof Wilson Ani,
Dean College of Management Sciences, named some of his contributions to include:
The restoration of our five academic programmes by the National Universities Commission
(NUC), and the relisting of our programmes on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)
platform.
Others are: Bilateral approvals secured from both the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry
of Agriculture and Food Security, mobilization of students to our programmes even after JAMB admissions had been concluded and the exceptional admission performance of the College—1,398 students offered admission,
representing 25.36% of the entire admission into MOUAU this year, surpassed only by the Faculty of
Engineering by a margin of 23 students.
The rest are: the enrolment and registration of over 1,200 students, approximately 90% of those admitted and the oversubscription into key departments such as Business Administration and Accounting, with
Economics also recording impressive numbers.
Presenting a keynote address at the event which was also the opening ceremony of the 2nd International Hybrid Conference organized by the College of Management Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike with theme “Innovation and Sustainability of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs in Emerging Economies” held at the University, Chief Onuigbo pointed out that Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, play a critical role in the emerging economies given its contribution to global market in relation to share business, employment and impact on the environment and GDP.
He observed that Innovation and Sustainability have the potentials to eliminate supply chain disruptions, attract new customers, enhance human capacity building and guarantee long-term survival.
Chief Onuigbo who represented Ikwuano – Umuahia in the 8th and 9th National Assembly noted that the micro small and medium enterprises has significantly contributed 87.9% of labour force representing approximately 96.9% of businesses, 6.21% of exports and about 46.32% to the National GDP, expressing shock that MSMEs are mostly ran by women and young people in the informal economy.
He applauded the tax reform of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to micro small and medium scale enterprises describing it as a big relieve to the sector.
Chief Onuigbo appreciated the university for recognizing his little contributions to the growth of the citadel of learning and assured that he will not relent in attracting more goodies to the Institution.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe who spoke through the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof. Nneoma Elechi said Micro Small and Medium-scale enterprises not only contribute significantly to the economic diversification but expand innovative and technology base and expressed
The Vice Chancellor expressed confidence that the conference would provide new ideas that will foster the development of the economy.
Present his address earlier, the Dean, College Of Management Sciences , Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Prof. Wilson Ani explained that the conference provides the opportunity for stakeholders in Micro Small and Medium-scale Enterprise to exchange ideas on emerging trends and challenges facing the MSMEs in society and expressed the hope that participants will come out of the conference better equipped.
