Prof. Chukwuma Ogbonna, along with his wife, attended a reception with the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, and his wife. During this event, the Japanese Ambassador conferred the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, on Prof. Ogbonna. The award recognizes his significant contributions to academic cooperation and fostering mutual understanding between Japan and Nigeria, particularly in the field of agriculture.
At the decoration ceremony held in Abuja on Saturday, Ambassador Kazuyoshi emphasized the importance of the occasion, which coincided with the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Foreign Ministerial meeting. He commended Prof. Ogbonna for his unwavering dedication to promoting international collaboration, establishing partnerships between Japanese and Nigerian universities, and facilitating research and student exchange programs.
In response, Prof. Ogbonna expressed his deep gratitude to the Japanese government and people, promising to continue advancing academic linkages between the two nations.
Enugu State Governor, Mr. Peter Mba, extended his congratulations to Prof. Ogbonna, lauding him as a beacon of excellence and a role model for the people of Enugu State. Represented by Dr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu, the state’s Commissioner for Health, the governor welcomed further discussions with the Japanese government to enhance the state’s development.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Prof. Chukwuma Ogbonna, who is a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, is among the recipients of the Japanese government’s 2024 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals.