Dr. Oluchukwu Iheonunekwu Honoured by IPEPM for Championing Economic Policy Reforms By Raymond Enoch
It was a moment of pride, prestige, and professional validation as Dr. Oluchukwu Iheonunekwu was honoured alongside five distinguished individuals with a doctorate degree from the Institute of Professional Economists and Policy Management (IPEPM). The conferment was in recognition of his unwavering commitment to advancing economic thought leadership and policy development in Nigeria.
Held in a spirited and intellectually charged atmosphere, the event was more than a ceremonial gathering—it was a call to action. It urged the nation’s policymakers, economists, and thought leaders to embrace innovation, strategic leadership, and efficient resource management as the cornerstones of national development.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary and National Coordinator of IPEPM, Dr. Musa Alieu Yakub, emphasized the institute’s foundational philosophy. He reiterated IPEPM’s commitment to equipping technocrats and policy influencers with the tools necessary to manage Nigeria’s limited resources for sustainable and impactful economic outcomes.
The keynote address delivered by renowned economist Professor Ken Ife provided a critical analysis of global economic trends. Titled “Colonial Legacy and Deliberate Gaps: A Way Out of Economic Dependency,” the lecture drew attention to the dangers of unchecked presidential powers in trade policy, highlighting parallels between economic pitfalls in Nigeria and global powerhouses such as the United States and China.
Adding a crucial gender perspective, Dr. Abiola Basharoun stressed the vital role women play in national development. She advocated for robust institutional frameworks that safeguard national interests amidst growing global economic interdependence.
Dr. Iheonunekwu, visibly moved by the recognition, expressed heartfelt gratitude and reaffirmed his dedication to the cause of economic transformation. He vowed to continue using his expertise to advocate for sound policy, train future leaders, and contribute to reshaping Nigeria’s economic narrative.
Far beyond its ceremonial surface, the IPEPM conferment event echoed a deeper message: Economics must evolve from theory to transformative action, becoming a dynamic force in steering Nigeria toward sustainable prosperity.
