FirstCap CEO Ukandu Delivers UNN 54th Convocation Lecture

Managing director and chief executive officer of FirstCap Limited, a subsidiary of First HoldCo Plc, Mr Ukandu Eme Ukandu, has urged the government to champion equity and opportunity by creating policies that reflect the potential of every citizen, not just a few.

Ukandu made the call in Nsukka on Thursday while delivering the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) 54th Convocation Lecture titled “Educated to Rise: From Local Struggle to Global Strength.”

He also urged industries to open their doors wider, seeing young minds not as risk but as reinforcements for growth. He equally called on universities to remain knowledge centres and innovation engines.

He said, “This is no longer the era of individual success stories. The future belongs to communities that build, institutions that collaborate, and nations that rise together.”

He described education as a powerful weapon to change the world positively, adding that education has the potential to solve a wide range of global challenges like poverty, inequality, lack of economic opportunity, agriculture, and health crises, among others.

“Education is the powerful weapon with which the world can be changed for the benefit of mankind. This can be done by fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and innovation, as education empowers individuals and societies to address complex issues and build a more sustainable and equitable future. Education drives economic growth, providing individuals with the tools to participate in the workforce, innovate, and contribute to a more prosperous society,” he said.

The CEO, who identified family as the bedrock of education, urged parents to give special attention to their children’s education.

He also urged governments at all levels to review the educational budgetary allocation to meet the United Nations benchmark. “Good education starts from the family level. As such, families should inculcate the culture of reading and learning in every child so that they will grow up with it.

Exploring education and being productive in life will be easier for them. On the other hand, the government should inject more money into the education sector because the current education budgets across all tiers of government are below the global benchmark,” he added.

In a remark, Mr. Akintola Oladejo, the managing director of Prestigious Homes Ltd, Lagos and chairman of the occasion, commended UNN for sustaining the dream of the university’s founding fathers.

“I commend the institution’s management team, staff, and students for their commitment and sacrifices in sustaining the dreams and aspirations of UNN’s founding fathers,” he said.

Earlier, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, stated that the convocation lecture is traditionally part of the institution’s convocation ceremony.

“As an alumnus, today’s convocation lecture is unique because it is the first of such public lectures under my watch as Acting VC. Although I see the event as a way of raising the torch of light and knowledge to show the way, I feel highly elated that this historic university has continued to build leaders through knowledge, which remains the main source of power globally,” he said.

The VC commended the guest lecturer, Ukandu, describing him as a visionary leader and internationally recognised corporate and investment banking guru.