By Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The successful hosting of the four-day maiden edition of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu Alumni Global Homecoming 2026 continues to resonate among participants, the institution’s management and students.
The event, which featured brainstorming sessions, networking, reunions, relaxation and other exciting activities, marked the first gathering of its kind for graduates of IMT, Enugu. It has left behind an enduring legacy whose memories are expected to linger for years.
Tagged “IMT Enugu Alumni Global Homecoming 2026,” the programme provided members of the Forum of Alumni Association of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, with the opportunity to return to their alma mater, reconnect with former classmates and make commitments aimed at advancing the institution’s socio-infrastructural development while promoting academic excellence among students as part of efforts to restore the institution’s lost glory.
Preparations are already underway for the second edition of the Global Homecoming, scheduled for 2028.
The National President of IMT Alumni, Mazi Dr. Agodi Kanu, and his Deputy National President, Dr. Oliver Ngwoke, who also served as Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the maiden edition, commended the high level of teamwork, commitment and coordination that contributed to the success of the event. They reaffirmed that the next edition would hold in 2028.
Part of a letter issued after the event reads: “Further more, “It is this level of teamwork,coordination and committment that will continue to drive us towards moving to the next level of success.While that phase is now behind us, preparation and strategic planning for the 2028 second edition of our Global Homecoming is already fast approaching. In that regard, let us maintain this momentum and remain focused on the task ahead. Every effort counts and every contribution matters”.
Activities marking the maiden edition, held from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, June 14, began with a courtesy visit to the Rector of IMT, Prof. Gozie Ogbodo, on Friday, June 12.
During the visit, the Rector stated that his administration remains committed to restoring the institution’s lost glory. He disclosed that within the last 18 months, all academic programmes offered by the institution had regained full accreditation.
His words:”We are working to restore the lost glory of this great Institution. When I was appointed as the Rector of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in 2024,about 18 months ago,, the accreditation of over 70 percent courses offered by the Institution has expired. We worked hard to overcome the challenges.With the support of the present administration in Enugu state led by Governor Peter Mbah, I am very proud to inform you that one hundred percent of all courses offered by IMT are fully accredirated.
“We have moved further to introduce eight new courses”.
From the Rector’s office, participants embarked on a guided tour of the IMT Sculpture Park and Museum, where sculptures depicting the rich cultural and historical heritage of different people and places are displayed.
The tour was conducted by the Dean of the Faculty of Art, Design and Printing Technology, Dr. Ayo Adewunmi, alongside the Head of the Department of Industrial Design, Mr. Tony Okeh.
The alumni later visited the Mother of Christ Motherless Babies Home at Holy Ghost Cathedral as part of their charity outreach.
To round off the day’s activities, the IMT Enugu Alumni volleyball team, captained by the National Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ezeani, played friendly matches against the IMT management and students’ volleyball teams, reviving memories of extracurricular activities during their days as students.
Saturday’s activities commenced with a fitness walk from the late Dr. Michael Okpara Square to the Campus III axis of IMT, accompanied by traditional music provided by local drummers.
The Homecoming reached its peak at the IMT Conference Centre with a public lecture themed “Alumni as the Mirrors and Ambassadors of their Alma Mater.”
A prominent alumnus, Dr. George Moghalu, the Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2025 Anambra State election, chaired the lecture.
The keynote address was delivered by another distinguished alumnus, Dr. Uche Ogah, President of Masters Energy Group.
Dr. Ogah acknowledged the vital role IMT played in shaping his career and pledged his continued commitment to giving back to the institution.
“Homecoming, for me, therefore carries a communal implication like that African Zulu philosophical concept called Ubuntu, which means I am because we are, stressing the importance of community and the interconnectedness of all human beings.
“The same way, this IMT Alumni homecoming means an acknowledgment that: I am because we are. It also means responsibility. The greater our individual achievements, the heavier our obligation to ensure this fountain of knowledge and skills in Enugu never runs dry for todays and tomorrows students”, Dr. Ogah said.
Represented by the Executive Director of Masters Energy Limited, Dr. Charles Eboka, Dr. Ogah announced a donation of ₦10 million to support the programmes and commitments of the IMT Alumni Association under the leadership of Mazi Dr. Agodi Kanu.
The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr. Queen Ifeona Osuala, a graduate of the Department of Mass Communication IMT Enugu and a lecturer at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State.
In her lecture titled “Legacies with Responsibilities,” Dr. Osuala emphasised the importance of alumni serving as mentors to students by sharing their experience and exposure. She described alumni as the torchbearers of their alma mater and urged them to partner with the institution’s management in restoring IMT’s lost glory while mentoring students towards academic excellence.
One of the major highlights of the third day was the alumni’s financial commitment to improving academic excellence and infrastructural development within the institution.
The National President on behalf of the Alumni Association redeemed the ₦5 million pledge for the beautification of the IMT environment. He also presented a cheque of ₦1.4 million for the “Scholarship Spark” initiative, which rewarded 14 students with the highest cumulative grade point averages (CGPA) across the Higher National Diploma (HND) and National Diploma (ND) categories on behalf of the Association.
The beneficiaries included Uzoigwe Faith Amarachi and Aduba Chinenye from the Faculty of Financial Studies; Chika Deborah Chigaenezu and Okonkwo Emmanuel Ekene from the Faculty of Engineering; Ngozi Loveth Nkechi and Agbo Mmasinachukwu Marycynthia from the Faculty of Technology; Ani Modesta Chinazaekpere and Ogbodo Stella Nkemakolam from the Faculty of Communication Arts; Ugwu Chimezie Maximus and Ani Miracle Chinenye from the Faculty of Business Studies; Agbo Kingsley Onyemaechi and Emerua Jude N. from Environmental Studies; as well as Nwodo Chizoba Emmanuel and Edwin Somtochukwu Daniel from the Faculty of Art, Design and Printing Technology.
Speaking after presenting the scholarship cheque, Mazi Dr. Agodi Kanu said the initiative was designed to encourage hard work and healthy academic competition among IMT students, thereby improving the institution’s academic standard and the quality of its graduates.
He assured that the “Scholarship Spark” programme would become an annual initiative aimed at motivating students to excel academically.
Following the scholarship presentations, activities shifted to Golden Royale Hotel, located on Bisalla Road, Independence Layout, Enugu, where distinguished alumni were honoured for their outstanding contributions in different fields locally, nationally and internationally.
Recipients included Prof. Gozie Ogbodo, the current Rector of IMT Enugu; Mrs. Agatha Nnaji, the Managing Director of Geometric Power Limited, Aba; Chief Emesaraonye Innocent Ogueri (KSC), a marketer and agro-allied entrepreneur; Lt. Col. Loveday Chiemela Ihejirika, an HND Mass Communication graduate and Commanding Officer of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion, Kwande, Benue State; Mr. Uchenna Durukwuaku, CEO of PETMEG Limited, London; and DCNS Ude Chika, recognised for her humanitarian work, mentorship of young girls and gospel ministry.
Also honoured were Ochuko Kokofe, a media professional and humanitarian; Mr. Kanayo Echena, a Banking and Finance graduate who furthered his studies at Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom, and has distinguished himself in the banking sector; as well as Chief Engr. Johnson Irokwe, an Asset Integrity Management Engineer currently with MUSTRAS Group in the United States, recognised for his professionalism, technical competence and leadership in industrial operations.
In all, nine distinguished alumni received awards in recognition of their remarkable contributions to society and for projecting the image of their alma mater positively.
Speaking after the awards ceremony, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Dr. Oliver Ngwoke, said hundreds of IMT alumni are making significant impacts across different sectors globally. He assured that many more deserving alumni would be recognised during the second edition of the Global Homecoming in 2028.
The four-day event was rounded up with a Thanksgiving Service at ‘Holy Spirit’ chapel,IMT,on Sunday July 14th.
To the glory of God, all participants returned to their various destinations across the country, safely.
Checks revealed that under the leadership of Mazi Dr. Agodi Kanu, the IMT Alumni Association has expanded its state chapters from four to 13 within less than two years in office.
State chapters that participated and sent goodwill messages included Akwa Ibom, led by Mr. Jackson Anyanime; Anambra, led by Engr. Hyacinth Uyanne; Lagos, led by Mr. Benedict Uwalaka; Rivers, under Engr. Linus Nwaka; Imo, led by Comrade Destiny Akunesi; Plateau, under Mrs. Nkem Oduche; and the host Enugu State chapter, led by Lady Clara Anionwu.
This writer, a graduate of the Department of Mass Communication, IMT, and a member of the Enugu State Chapter of the IMT Alumni Association, devoted time and resources to documenting and highlighting the major activities of the four-day maiden edition of the IMT Enugu Alumni Global Homecoming 2026 in various newspaper editions.
