…As ex-militant leader bags honorary doctorate award of American varsity

By Tunde Oso

Head of the Association of Urhobo Mayoral Family Crown, AUMFC, His Excellency Eshanekpe Israel, popularly known as Akpodoro has bagged the prestigious Doctorate Award of the American Management University ( USA) in collaboration with Great Achievers Initiatives for Youth and Community Development (GAIYD).

The event took place in Abuja over the weekend and according to the management of the institute, the honour was bestowed due to the Mayor’s activities particularly in business, human empowerment and engagement with governments across tiers, which were monitored over the years.

In the citation, the Institution described the Mayor as a bridge builder, who has been able to rid the Niger Delta region of youth laziness, and other vices, with the Mayor being an inspiration to the young population, not only in his constituency – Urhoboland, but across the nation and beyond.

“On behalf of our institution, we declare you today, a holder of our honorary doctoral award in recognition of your hard work, patriotism, nationalism, empowerment of youths and the elderly, job creation and developmental initiatives, in your excellent-driven businesses. We are proud to induct you into our hall of fame today. Congratulations,” the citation read.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Akpodoro thanked the institution for the honour done him assuring “the Award is a courageous efforts at spurring me to do more in human capital development, promote humanity in my philanthropic drive towards human growth and better life for the people in my locality, Nigeria in general and globally.”

“I stand in patriotism with the Nigerian state, and nothing can stop me from expressing my solidarity to my country. Ours is a great nation of a great people. I am proudly Nigerian. The giant strides of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR brought this honour upon me, I am grateful to the Renewed Hope Agenda team and all the good-hearted operators of the contemporary Nigerian political system.

“Today is remarkable in my life and that of my family. Therefore, I dedicate this Award to my Urhobo nation, the entire Management and Board of the Tantita Security Services Nig LTD, TSSNL, my close associate, friends, family and all well-meaning progressives across the globe,” Dr. Akpodoro stated.