Why we honoured late O.B Lulu-Briggs – UNIPORT VC, others

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Steve Okodudu has given insights as to why the institution was honouring late philanthropist, benefactor, oil magnate and elder statesman, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs with an elaborate ceremony fitting only for important personalities.

Activities marking the funeral rites for late High Chief O.B Lulu-Briggs began on Monday with the University of Port Harcourt organizing an Evening of Tributes, Music, Drama, and Art Exhibition at the institution’s campus, Choba.

It was an atmosphere of encomiums upon encomiums as members of the academia went down memory lane, detailing the impact the late Kalabari title-holder had on not just the University of Port Harcourt but humanity at large.

This is just as occasion humbled his son and Head of Young Briggs House of Abonnema, Rivers State, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, who promised to continue with the legacies of his father.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT, Professor Steve Okodudu, in his tribute titled “Exit Of A Rare Gift To The University Of Port Harcourt And Humanity,” stated that the death of our “benefactor, patron, father and Alumnus is certainly a direct tragedy for the University of Port Harcourt. This is because of the boundless philanthropy and assistance he rendered to the university.”

He noted that the university crossed path with late High Chief O.B Lulu-Briggs when efforts were in gear to improve on the infrastructural profile of the institution and that the lot fell on an equally illustrious son of Kalabari kingdom and then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nimi Briggs.

According to him, “The response from our High Chief (Dr) O.B Lulu-Briggs was the building and donation of a purpose-built structure to house the University Health Centre.”

Professor Okodudu stressed further that the deceased impacted on the university in many other ways including becoming one of the foremost “benefactors and…