For Dr. Boris Chukwuemeka Oji, a Doctor of Optometry (OD) graduate of Abia State University, Uturu, and winner of several awards and currently practicing Chairman/Chief of medicine, Department of Medicine, Banner Del Webb Medical Center, Sun City West, Arizona, USA, universities are brands and alumni are their best ambassadors.
Education is very important aspect of our lives and in particular, university education during which we attain pathways to recognition.
In late Nelson Mandela’s words – “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.
We are, superficially it seems, proud of our degrees and the value they bring us, but far too many graduates get their diploma, walk off the stage and into life and never look back. That is not only a shame it is not necessarily the smartest move to make from a career brand management perspective. If your college or university excels by deepening its academic offerings and sharpens it reputation in key industries, then the graduates benefit. It is not just money that allows a school to excel. It is also the ongoing engagement of its former students — graduates and undergraduates alike.
Dedication Plague
Reflecting on the above, two important things stand out. First, a university is a brand. Second, alumni are amongst its most potent assets, and best brand ambassadors. On both fronts, it is important to mention the extraordinary accomplishments of Dr. Boris Chukwuemeka Orji, his ZESPRONET organization and his alumni friends that gifted state-of-the-art and fully equipped post-graduate hostel to Abia State University Uturu, Nigeria.
The 44-bedroom hostel was undertaken under the auspices of Zenith Family Environmental and Social Protection Network (ZESPRONET), a non-governmental organization founded by Dr Oji and his fellow alumni of Abia State University Uturu. They collectively raised over N80 million naira to complete and equip the hostel, that was unveiled by the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu on 12, November 2021.
ZESPRONET POST-GRADUATE HOSTEL
Zenith Environmental and Social Protection Network (ZESPRONET) is an NGO formed to create value for her members and positively impact their alma mater both by being impactful role models to the current students and by giving back to the school in various ways; as well as improving the environment by sensitizing the public and government to the reality of global warming especially in the eastern states of Nigeria, taking note of the devastating effects of gully erosion, as well as influencing international funding and support to ameliorate the sufferings of the affected communities.
Since 2015, ZESPRONET has been active in providing support and intervention to her members and communities in the eastern states of Nigeria, and has implemented the following projects so far;
A. Raised over 67 million naira for her members;
- To sponsor overseas medical treatments for those that were ill;
- Sponsored medical treatments locally to those that were either hospitalized or for their family members;
- Assisted her members with the funerals of their loved ones;
- Sponsorship of the education of children (from secondary through to university) of her members who died suddenly within 6 months of its inauguration;
B. Launched life and accident/hospital insurance schemes for her members;
C. Established a cooperative society with small savings scheme called ESUSU for her members;
D. Successfully embarked on 6 weeks radio campaign in the 5 eastern states of Nigeria to encourage people to be of good behavior, shun violence, say no to drugs, protect their environments and say no to corruption (a N1.6 million naira campaign that was a resounding successful).
List of donors in support of the ZESPRONET post-graduate hostel project
ZESPRONET membership is drawn from the ranks of heads of government parastatals, permanent secretaries, heads of corporate organizations, medical professionals, engineers, Architects and sundry business owners and members of the clergy, providing unlimited networking potential for her members.
The future of ZESPRONET is sure bright, as it has invested significant funds as fixed deposits with a 5 year development plan, for projects that will enhance the welfare of her members and the larger communities in Nigeria
