…as Chidoka urges African universities to redefine their purpose in the Intelligence Age.
AWKA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership and former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, OFR, has called on Nigerian universities to become engines of excellence, curiosity, and innovation – what he described as the “Mekaria Spirit”, meaning doing more, doing better.
According to a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Ikechukwu Okafor, the former minister made the call while delivering the Convocation Lecture at the 5th Combined Convocation Ceremony of Paul University, Awka, held on Friday, 17 October 2025.
Chidoka urged African universities to redefine their purpose in the Intelligence Age by producing leaders equipped with curiosity, courage, and ethical grounding to build inclusive and data-driven societies.
“The future belongs to the curious, the courageous, and the continuously improving. Mekaria is not a slogan, it is a mindset of disciplined curiosity, moral courage, and unrelenting excellence. It is the spirit that built civilisations, discovered continents, and transformed institutions,” Chidoka said.
The statement added that Chidoka shared a personal story of arriving in Abuja for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with only ₦20 in his pocket and later earning the NYSC Honours Award through hard work and integrity – a journey that inspired his philosophy of Mekaria.
He emphasised that Africa must leapfrog the Industrial Age and harness the opportunities of the Artificial Intelligence era, stressing that universities must now serve as the infrastructure of innovation and civilisation.
“If our universities produce citizens who can think, build, and serve, Africa will not just catch up, it will leap forward,” he said.
Addressing the graduating students, Chidoka urged them to adopt Mekaria as a lifelong creed built on curiosity, courage, and continuous improvement.
“The 21st century will not reward those who wait for change; it will reward those who create it. Be curious enough to ask new questions. Be courageous enough to take new risks. Be disciplined enough to do more, do better,” he charged.
The convocation, according to the statement, witnessed the award of Postgraduate and Undergraduate Degrees to 615 graduates, including 18 PhDs, 54 MScs, and 474 First Degrees, as well as the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees on distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to national development.
Among the honorary awardees were Lady Dr (Mrs) Ada Chukwudozie, Chairman of Keystone Bank PLC, who received the Doctor of Management and Entrepreneurial Studies (Honoris Causa), and Chief Williams Linus Ifejirika, who received the Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa).
The statement also noted that the event featured the installation of High Chief Sir Dr Napoleon Onyewuchi (Oba Odezuligbo of Abagana) as the new Chancellor of Paul University, Awka.
In his closing message, Chidoka urged the graduating students to embrace Mekaria as a personal and national creed.
“When life says ‘enough,’ tell yourself, ‘I can do better.’ That is the spirit that turns potential into power, and nations into greatness,” he concluded.
