By Martin Odiete, Abuja
Highstone Global University, Texas, USA, on Friday held its prestigious award ceremony themed “Honouring the Architects of Excellence”, celebrating exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to leadership, education, and professional development across Nigeria and beyond.
The event, organized by the university’s Nigerian representative office, brought together scholars, industry professionals, and community leaders from across several states, including Lagos, Delta, and Rivers. It featured the conferment of various awards, including honorary doctorate degrees, fellowships, and strategic leadership recognitions.
Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Maurice Azubuike Odiete, President of NIPEM Int’l and Highstone Global University, described the event as “a glorious one,” noting the impressive turnout and the caliber of the awardees.
> “My impression about the event is that it was a glorious one. Most of the awardees came from various parts of the country—Lagos, Delta, Rivers, and beyond,” he said. “This award should not be an end in itself but a motivation for service. It should inspire commitment to excellence, professionalism, peace, and justice within the community.”
Professor Odiete also emphasized the university’s ongoing commitment to advancing education in Africa, describing it as the “bedrock of national growth and enlightenment.” He revealed that a total of 21 individuals were recognized at the event, including two fellows, five recipients of the Strategic Leadership and Excellence Award, and 14 honorary doctorate awardees.
In his remarks, Professor Theophilus Aku Ugah, Vice Chancellor of Highstone Global University, highlighted that the awards were designed to recognize individuals who have made meaningful societal impact rather than merely pursuing titles.
> “This program focuses on people who have truly made a difference in society,” he explained. “We’re building leaders who will in turn build others. Our expectation is that these honorees will return to their various communities and replicate this spirit of leadership development—creating a chain reaction of growth that transcends generations.”
One of the awardees, Dr. Ihuoma Ann Dozie-Enukora, expressed her gratitude, describing the recognition as both humbling and motivating.
“Excellence means making impact with empathy and professionalism,” she said. “This award motivates me to keep doing better and give back to society. Recognition like this can transform lives—sometimes even inspiring others to pursue education and self-improvement.”
Another recipient, Dr. Adenike Juliana, who received an honorary doctorate in Operational Efficiency and Strategic Management, became emotional as she reflected on her two-decade career.
“For 20 years, I’ve worked hard, impacting lives quietly,” she said. “I thought no one noticed, but being recognized today means so much. It’s a reminder that genuine service never goes unnoticed.”
The event also featured a keynote lecture by Mr. Alex Ndudi Enebeli, President of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (Chartered), titled “Strategic Positioning for Impact and Relevance Beyond Limit.” Additionally, Professor Ugah presented a paper on “The People Principle: Foundation for Collaboration and Influence.”
The Highstone Global University’s “Honouring the Architects of Excellence” ceremony underscored the institution’s mission to celebrate outstanding achievement, promote lifelong learning, and encourage purposeful leadership across Africa.
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