Emma Elekwa

Governor Alex Otti of Abia state will on Thursday, October 29, 2026, deliver the maiden Chidi Anyaegbu Annual Public Lecture Series at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State.

Also, former governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, will chair the event, while Vice-Chancellor of Veritas University, Abuja, Rev. Fr. Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, will review the book: Platinum Footprint of Enterprise: The Life, Leadership and Legacies of Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, The Godfather of Transport, Chisco.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kate Omenugha who disclosed this at a press briefing, said Otti would be speaking on the topic: “Enterprise Across Generations: Merging Indigenous Business Knowledge With Modern Investment Strategies for National Prosperity”.

According to her, the public lecture was instituted in honour of Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, Chairman of Chisco Group, because of his invaluable contributions to societal growth.

She also disclosed that there would be a groundbreaking ceremony for the Department of Transport Management and Chidi Anyaegbu Multipurpose Auditorium on that day.

Omenugha revealed that the billionaire businessman would be endowing the sum of N1 billion for the purpose of erecting a structure that would contain the transportation department and his auditorium.

“We wrote a book in his honour. We got contributors from all over, including the Vice Chancellor of the University of Transportation”, she disclosed.

“The VC is coming because he also contributed to this book. So, we got people from diverse backgrounds to contribute to this book. And the aim of doing that is to further immortalise a man who we call the Godfather of transport business.”

Ahead of Thursday’s events, Chief Anyaegbu and his team, including Ifeanyi Ezegamba; Hon. Uchenna Ochuba and Mr Daniel-Scott Ofodeme, visited the university on Tuesday for an on-the-spot assessment of preparations.

Speaking during the visit, Omenugha lauded Anyaegbu, describing the endowment as demonstration of the potential of private-sector participation in university development.

She noted that universities could not depend solely on government funding to meet their growing needs, stressing the importance of partnerships with successful individuals and businesses.

“There is no university in the world where the government is left to be the lone source of funding for a university,” she said.

Omenugha described the collaboration between Chisco Group and COOU as a powerful combination of academic knowledge and practical experience, capable of creating lasting opportunities for students.

“The MOU is a marriage of town and gown. This is a legacy he is giving us. Students are going to gain experience, learn and be inspired,” she said.

Explaining the motivation behind the endowment, Anyaegbu said he wanted to combine the practical lessons he acquired through informal, street-level education with the benefits of formal university training to create greater value for society.

The Chisco Group chief executive also emphasised the importance of successful people sharing their life stories honestly to inspire younger generations and encourage them to overcome challenges.

“Telling the story of how you become successful is very important to our young ones,” he said, describing a journey from humble beginnings to success as a “sign of nobility.”

Anyaegbu, who recounted his rise from obscurity to international recognition, urged young people to believe in their potential and remain determined to succeed.

“I came from nowhere and became a renowned person in the world. You too can do it,” he assured.

The businessman expressed confidence in Professor Omenugha’s leadership, saying his decision to support the university was influenced by his belief in her vision and the improvements he had observed.

He also expressed hope that the endowment would encourage other successful Nigerians, particularly those from Anambra State, to invest in the university and contribute to educational development.

“I want this to attract some of our successful people. I am here because of the VC. I have seen a lot of improvements,” he said.

In a further boost to the university’s aviation-related training ambitions, Chief Anyaegbu pledged to provide scholarships for students of the new Department of Transport Management to learn how to fly and maintain aircraft.

The proposed scholarships, alongside the departmental building and annual lecture series, are expected to create new opportunities for students and strengthen the link between university education and the transport industry.

The endowment represents a significant private-sector intervention in higher education in Anambra State, with the potential to inspire similar contributions towards building institutions, developing skills and preparing young people for the world of work.