MOAU Honours Outgoing Principal Officers, Celebrates Outstanding Sports Achievers

The Management of Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, MOAU, on Friday, July 17, 2026, held a colourful send-forth ceremony for its outgoing Bursar, Dr. Amos Egwurube Otse, and University Librarian, Professor Innocent Isa Ekoja, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the institution during their five-year tenure.

The ceremony, which also featured the recognition of student-athletes who distinguished the University in national sporting competitions, brought together members of the Governing Council, Principal Officers, staff, students, family members and friends to celebrate excellence, dedicated service and remarkable institutional achievements.

Delivering the welcome address, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Professor Member Euginia George-Genyi, said the occasion was organised to honour two principal officers whose meritorious service, unwavering commitment and exemplary leadership had significantly advanced the development of the University over the past five years.

She expressed appreciation to the families of the honourees and members of staff for their encouragement and support throughout the years, noting that their collective efforts had contributed immensely to the University's growth and progress. 

Professor George-Genyi further disclosed that the University Management considered it necessary to honour athletes who brought laurels to the institution during the 2025 and 2026 sporting competitions, describing their achievements as a source of pride that has further enhanced the University's image and reputation.

According to her, sports remain a powerful instrument for promoting unity, institutional visibility, healthy competition and community development. She commended members of the University community for turning out in large numbers to celebrate the remarkable achievements of both the honourees and the athletes.

In separate goodwill messages, the Registrar, Barnabas Terfa Hemba; the Dean of the Postgraduate School, Professor Irene Mngutyo; an External Member of the Governing Council, Dr. Diana Ochoga; and Professor Emmanuel Achor described the outgoing Bursar and University Librarian as exemplary administrators and men of unquestionable integrity whose visionary leadership has left enduring legacies in the University.

They commended their professionalism, dedication to duty, commitment to excellence and innovative leadership, expressing confidence that the structures, reforms and policies they introduced would continue to benefit the institution for many years.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy Terseer Alabar, said the University was proud to celebrate two distinguished administrators who had provided purposeful, visionary and exemplary leadership throughout their tenure.

He noted that both officers served with diligence, commitment and integrity, adding that their contributions had strengthened the University's administrative and academic systems while laying a solid foundation for sustainable institutional growth.

Professor Alabar prayed for God's continued guidance, good health and abundant blessings upon them as they begin a new phase of life following the successful completion of their tenure.

The Vice-Chancellor also commended the athletes for bringing honour and pride to the University through their outstanding performances in various competitions. He expressed appreciation to the coaches for their dedication, commitment and hard work, noting that their efforts played a crucial role in nurturing the athletes' talents and contributing significantly to the successes being celebrated.

Earlier, the Chairman Sports Committee, Professor Charles Iortimah, and the Coordinator of Sports, Dr. Victor Terkimbi Ikpato, disclosed that MOAU had recorded another remarkable milestone in sports following the outstanding performance of its athletes at the 5th All-Best Taekwondo Championship held at Bayero University, Kano, in 2026.

Competing against 53 clubs, including teams from the military, paramilitary and other established institutions, the University's Taekwondo team emerged overall champions after winning five gold medals, further underscoring MOAU's growing prominence in university and national sports.

The achievement comes on the heels of a series of impressive performances by the University's athletes at major competitions. At the 2025 Nigerian University Games Association, NUGA, hosted by the University of Jos, MOAU emerged as the overall Taekwondo champion among Nigerian universities, winning five gold and three bronze medals.

Similarly, at the 2026 National Taekwondo Trials held in Ogun State, the University's athletes won three silver and one bronze medal to finish as the second-best team in the country.

Dr. Ikpato attributed these remarkable accomplishments to the unwavering commitment and support of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy Terseer Alabar, and his management team towards sports development and the promotion of student-athletes.

He further disclosed that, following their exceptional performance at the All-Best Taekwondo Championship, the University's top three athletes have received exclusive invitations to participate in the forthcoming Cotonou International Open Championship in the Republic of Benin, scheduled for August 2026.

According to him, the invitation represents a major international breakthrough for the athletes and another significant milestone for MOAU, whose sports programme continues to gain national and international recognition.

The athletes honoured include Agada Elijah Agada, Taekwondo, three gold and one bronze medal; Agada Ofuowoicho Solomon, Taekwondo, two gold medals; Desmond Egbe, Taekwondo, one gold medal; Roberta Ijeoma, Athletics, one gold medal; Ahmodu Habibah, Badminton, two bronze medals; Queen Torkwase Terngu, Taekwondo, one bronze medal; and James Bright, Badminton, one bronze medal. Also recognised were Agada Elijah Agada, who won two silver medals, and Agada Ofuowoicho Solomon, who won one silver and one bronze medal.

Responding on behalf of the honourees, the University Librarian, Professor Innocent Isa Ekoja, expressed profound appreciation to the University Management for organising the ceremony in their honour. He described the recognition as a rare privilege and assured the University community that both honourees would continue to serve as worthy ambassadors of the institution wherever they found themselves.

He encouraged members of staff and students to remain committed to the vision and mission of the University, expressing confidence that Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University has all it takes to remain one of Nigeria's leading universities.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Innocent Otache Ogwuche, delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating everyone whose presence contributed to the success of the event. He also commended the University Management for its commitment to recognising excellence, rewarding dedicated service and promoting outstanding achievements.

Highpoints of the ceremony included the presentation of plaques to the outgoing Bursar and University Librarian, the presentation of awards to the outstanding athletes, and captivating cultural performances by the University's Arts Theatre Troupe, which added colour, excitement and glamour to the occasion.