Vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections Peter Obi says political thugs are respected more than academics in Nigeria.
Mr Obi made the statement on Wednesday during the public presentation of Communication and Media Studies, a book edited by Prof. Chinyere Okunna, former dean of the Department of Social Sciences at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka.
The former Anambra State governor, who was guest of honour at the event, said people like Prof. Okunna who contribute to the advancement of knowledge should be encouraged.
Noting that the world today is knowledge-driven, he described as disgusting, the situation in Nigeria where political thugs and diverse rascals get rewarded more than professors and researchers.
“Today, nobody recognises academics nor are they invited for meetings on how to deepen knowledge in the country, yet every day we hear of meetings with kidnappers and bandits,” he said.
Obi added that “I never knew Okunna before I appointed her commissioner when I was governor, but I became interested in her when I saw her CV as a nominee.
“Many people protested her appointment because she was not a member of our political party but I remained resolute to appoint her because I needed the right team to do the job.”
Other speakers took turns eulogising the book as well as Okunna for her devotion to scholarship.
The traditional ruler of Igbakwu Prof. Onuorah Nwuneli described Okunna, the first female professor of mass communication in sub-Saharan Africa, as imbued with an “analytical mind”.
In his own remarks, NAU vice-chancellor Prof. Charles Esimone, who purchased some copies of the book for the university, described Okunna as an “accomplished scholar whose love for excellence is inspiring.”
He said that people like her are useful towards achieving his vision of making the university among the best 200 in the world.
Earlier in her welcome address, Okunna said she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love.
She particularly thanked Obi for his exemplary leadership, personality and character.
