AE-FUNAI Alumnus, Ije Hilary Chinedu, Receives Prestigious President’s NYSC Honours Award

Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, has announced with pride that one of its distinguished graduates, Ije Hilary Chinedu, has been honoured with the President’s NYSC Honours Award by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The announcement was made by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Esther Mba.

The recognition places Hilary among 200 outstanding young Nigerians celebrated for their exceptional contributions during the one-year national service programme. His selection followed a rigorous process by the National Selection Committee, which identified him as an exemplary corps member who combined leadership, community service, and innovation to make lasting impacts.

The President’s NYSC Honours Award, instituted in 1974, remains one of the highest national recognitions for Nigerian youths. It is presented to corps members who distinguish themselves through outstanding leadership, innovation, patriotism, and community service, thereby strengthening the NYSC’s legacy as a platform for national development.

Hilary, who hails from Afikpo LGA, Ebonyi State, graduated from AE-FUNAI in 2022 with a degree in Chemical Engineering and served in Oyo State, where his outstanding leadership and creativity distinguished him. His most remarkable achievement was the transformation of Iyake Lake—the world’s only naturally suspended lake—into a thriving tourism attraction. Working with community leaders, he installed information boards, planted ornamental trees, mounted the Nigerian flag, and facilitated the first-ever posting of corps members in tourism management to the site, which significantly boosted both visitors and local income.

Beyond tourism development, he organized quiz competitions, trained students in digital skills, empowered widows through financial literacy and material support, and contributed to educational growth in his host community.

AE-FUNAI described Hilary’s recognition as a source of pride to the university and Ebonyi State at large, noting that his achievement reflects the institution’s commitment to raising graduates who are equipped to make positive national and global impact.