The Faculty of Art, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Owerri, Imo State hosted the 2025 Hybrid conference in collaboration with Fontis Aid Foundation Nigeria from 14th – 16th May, 2025 at the Universities Auditorium. The Theme of the conference was titled: AFRICAN DIGITAL DAWN: TRANSFORMING EDUCATION THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.
The conference was well attended by members of the academia, government officials, civil servants from far and wide as well as students and the Principal Officers of the University.
The Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. A.C. Onyeka (Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Polly Mbah) declared the event open and commended the organizers of the academic gathering for choosing an apt theme for the very important and timely conference.
In their speeches the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs Ethel Ngozi Megwa, the Acting Bursar, Mr Udodiri Nwaohiri and the Acting Librarian, Dr. Magnus Unegbu thanked the organizers for providing the platform for challenging the status quo in digital learning in Africa. They also urged the participants to utilize the opportunity provided by the conference to Horne their digital skills inorder to update themselves with relevant knowledge and applications currently needed for better teaching and learning delivery.
In her opening address, the Dean, Faculty of Arts of the University, Prof. Chinenye Viola Udeze informed the participants that the conference will afford them the opportunity to be savvy and versatile in their respective disciplines, stating that digital literacy is indispensable in today’s world.
In her opening address, the Founder of Fontis Aid Foundation Nigeria, Prof. Ikeanyionwu Chioma .L and an academic academic staff of Federal College of Education (Technical),Umunze, Anambra State, thanked the Management of University for providing the venue for hosting the important conference which will bring positive impacts on the participants and their students. She also urged the participants to be active and brace up to be among the top players in digital space after the conference.
The Chairman of the event, Prof. JohnCliff Chike Nwadike from Imo State University, Owerri, commended the organizers of the conference for being proactive and exhorted the organizers and the participants in the conference not to rest on their oars until the ” good news” gets to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria’s Tertiary institutions and education sector in Nigeria.
In her goodwill message, the first substantive Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Stella Ngozi Lemchi, extolled the virtues virtues and resourcefulness of Professor Ikeanyionwu Chioma. She also encouraged Prof Ikeanyionwu who she described as ‘young and vibrant academic’ not to relent in her pursuit of excellence in academic circles nationally and internationally.
Prof Lemchi also commended Professor Udeze Chinenye (Dean, Faculty of Arts) for her diligence and dedication to duty. She thanked the University community for their support during her tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the University and prayed for peace and more development in the tertiary institution.
The keynote Speaker, Prof. Chika JB Gabriel Okpalike from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, went down the memory lane. He traced the etymology of Igbo digital era from the olden days, stating that the Igbos have always been conversant with the the digital and numerical literacy from time immemorial. He opined that ‘Afa”which is primarily made with four pieces of cowries have been used by Igbos for divination centuries ago. He averred that “Afa” is made up of four cowries stringed together and thrown severally with digital and numerical counts to arrive at mathematical and correct conclusions which sheds light to the fact that the Igbo people were digitally savvy from the olden days . He called on the participants to use the springboard provided by the conference to gain more insight into the current digital revolution so as to improve themselves and impart same on their students .
The Lead paper Presenter, Prof. Okey K. Nwofor from Imo State University, Owerri encouraged those in attendance to be actively involved in digital emancipation drive in order to transform education through technology in Nigeria and other African countries.
The highlights of the occasion include:
Award presentation to eminent Nigerians.
Plenary session and
Entertainment by dancers .
The Chairman of the Local organizing committee, Dr. Emma Inedu, the Chairperson Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Ike Ijeoma C and the Secretary, Local Organizing Committee, Dr Anyaeneh Vivian K thanked the participants for gracing the ocassion with their esteemed presence and prayed for safe travelling to their respective destinations.
Other members of the Local Organizing Committee include:
Dr. Mbogu Emmanuel, Nzegwu Ruth, Dr Ifeyinwa Uzondu, Dr Fred Agu, Mr Eburuche John, Mr Madichie Christopher N and others
Event Gallery
