UNIPORT Linguistics/Communication Studies Lecturers, Students Storm Abak In Honour Of Prof. Udoudo
The ancient city of Abak, Akwa Ibom State may not have hosted such a large crowd in recent times. But Saturday, April 10, 2021 marked a remarkable turning point as Communication and Linguistics scholars alongside their students stormed the city in honour of one of their own, Professor Aniefiok Udoudo. It was a roll call of who did and who did not come among his colleagues who saw the occasion as one in a million to click wine glasses and exchange banters for academic excellence.
The occasion was a Thanksgiving Church Service in Honour of Professor Aniefiok Jackson Udoudo who has been promoted to the rank of a Professor of Communication Studies of the University of Port Harcourt.
The venue was Church of Christ, Ebom Avenue, Abak while the reception was at the famous Independence Hall, Abak.
On ground to receive their colleagues on arrival were Dr Chris Ochonogor and Dr Sunny Mbaizie who had arrived the ancient city of Abak earlier to ensure the event as packaged had no leakages.
At the home front (Port Harcourt), Dr. Clement Asadu and his committee members proved more than capable to ensure that no one was left behind to and fro, notwithstanding the unethical behavior of one of the two hired buses that made some few unpalatable stops on the road usually referred to, in mechanical parlance as ‘brake and quench.’ Notwithstanding, the journey was safe and the occasion, a huge success.
Among the colleagues of the chief celebrant, Prof. Udoudo who graced the occasion include: Prof (Rev. Fr) Walter Ihejirika, Prof. Christie Omego, Dr Oby Ohiagu, Dr Roseline Aleruchi, Dr. F.G. Nwanchukwu, Dr E.A. Eze, Dr. E. Obikudo, Dr. N. J. Usua, Dr Sunny Mbazie, Dr Chris Ochonogor, Dr Clement Asadu, Dr B. Agbo, Pst. Chukwuemeka Iroham, Dr Ukaegbu among a host of other colleagues.
Also fully represented were the old PhD and current PhD students of the department and products of Prof Udoudo, notably among which include Dr Bisi Olaniyi, Dr Endwell Nyekwere, Dr. Charity Uka-Ejelam, Ekaete George, Ruth, Christabel and Chris Konkwo.
The highlights of the event were a motivational speech by the chief celebrant, emotion-ladden citation on Prof Udoudo, a hearty tribute by his family and read by his first daughter, a barrister at law and above all, a review of the book: ‘Lifted By A Mighty Hand’ written by Prof Udoudo to capture the adventures of his childhood, reviewed and presented by the ever happy active Prof Christie Omego.
In his speech, Prof Udoudo who is the current Head of Linguistics and Communication Studies Department of the University of Port Harcourt charged Nigerian youths to dream dreams, work hard to actualize such dreams with absolute faith in God, stressing there is no short cut to good success.
Prof. Udoudo dreamt to be a teacher, became not only a teacher but also a ‘Teacher Professor’, the pinnacle of the teaching career.
His only challenge, he said, is that often, his students misunderstood him as being too strict.
