The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Gardens Group, Dr Richard Nyong, has promised to construct a 200-room hostel at the University of Port Harcourt.
He disclosed this while delivering a keynote lecture at the ‘Close-Out Ceremony/Public Lecture and Book Launch’ in honour of the outgoing 9th Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari Georgewill.
Nyong said the decision is part of efforts by the real estate firm to tackle the challenge of accommodation shortages for the teeming population of students in the university.
Nyong, who is an alumnus of UNIPORT, noted that the real estate firm would immediately begin the construction of the 200-room hostel.
He stated, “I graduated from this university. I have been a good friend of the 9th Vice-Chancellor. I want to extend this friendship to the 10th Vice-Chancellor with a 200-room hostel for students.”
Speaking on the topic, “Leadership and Giving Back Purposefully: Two Sides of the Same Coin of Impact,” Nyong said giving back was one of the major principles of leadership.
While he advised lecturers and teachers to dedicate themselves to providing quality knowledge to students, Nyong noted that leadership means giving back, adding that giving back rewards the giver in greater measure than what was given.
“Leadership is giving yourself in a way that moves people from where they are today to a future that is more desirable. While, on the other hand, giving back meaningfully is looking back and looking out and finding ways to give of yourself and your resources to where you came from and the things that matter to you. In both leadership and giving back, one thing is consistent and constant. You give yourself.
“Whether you want to give back or you want to lead, the best thing and the first thing to do is to give yourself. That’s why I say that it’s simple. If you’re going to lead, you give yourself. If you’re going to give back meaningfully, you have to give yourself,” the Managing Director said.
In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion, Justice Biobele Georgewill, who is the twin brother of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, thanked his brother, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, for ensuring quality leadership throughout his tenure at the university.
Responding, Prof. Owunari Georgewill said he was leaving the university as a fulfilled person, saying his vision for the university had been actualised. He also commended the university’s members of staff, Governing Council members, strategic partners and donors for their support during his tenure.
