U.S. Varsity Confers Honorary Doctorates on Caleb, Pedro , Paula, Obioma, Alphonsus, and Other Eminent Personalities
Abuja, Nigeria — August 2, 2025
In a ceremony marked by pride, honor, and national significance, the British American Open University, California, has conferred honorary doctorate degrees on some of Nigeria’s most visionary and impactful figures — a distinguished class of patriots whose work transcends titles and borders.
The roll call was seemingly endless and illustrious, transforming the National Merit Award House, Maitama, Abuja, into a majestic stage of history as seventy-four distinguished personalities were honored in this year’s award ceremony. The recognition stood as a resounding testament to the grandeur of the event, the depth of Nigeria’s excellence, and the far-reaching impact of her sons and daughters on the global stage.
Saturday Newsway Media reports that the occasion marked another new era for the university, as participants and well-wishers celebrated the institution for its kind gesture in recognizing illustrious citizens whose contributions continue to shape communities and inspire national progress.
The recipients, including Caleb Onyema, Pedro Okwudili, Paula Osebor, Obioma Agbo, and Alphonsus Omah, were honored for their enduring contributions to leadership, public service, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, legal reform, and gender advocacy. Each recipient’s profile reflected deep-seated passions and lifelong commitments to building a better Nigeria.
Also, other eminent personalities were honored. The National Merit Award House, Maitama, Abuja, was transformed into a majestic stage of history today as distinguished Nigerians were conferred with Honorary Doctoral Degrees by the renowned British American Open University, California (BAOUC). Eminent personalities like Senator Adefemi Kila, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Uchenna Eze, Ucha Samuel, Usman Alfa, Rebecca Bolanle, Anthony Chukwudi, Ibinabo Joy, Abubakar Sadiq, Martin Oruma, and Aishatu Zakari were also seen receiving this prestigious award, further underscoring the ceremony’s grandeur and national significance.
The momentous occasion brought together a constellation of esteemed guests from across Nigeria and beyond, filling the hall with cultural dignity and national pride. Diplomats, academics, captains of industry, royal fathers, clergy, and political leaders gathered to witness the conferment, underscoring the global significance of the recognition bestowed on the distinguished honorees.
The hall, adorned with regal elegance and national emblems, was filled with eminent personalities who gathered in their finest to witness the ceremony. Presiding with academic authority and ceremonial grace were the Chancellor of BAOUC, Prof. Paul Godwin, and the Vice President, Prof. Walter Terry, who jointly led the conferment.
According to Mr. Leonard Papee, Secretary of the Planning and Mobilization Committee, who spoke with newsmen after the ceremony, the conferment was a fitting tribute to the honorees’ lifelong dedication to service and excellence. “The awardees deserve every applause they received today.
Their track records are testaments of integrity, vision, and impact. Obioma Agbo has displayed exceptional integrity and legal expertise in his distinguished service at the Security and Exchange Commission; Caleb Onyema and Pedro Okwudili have excelled as visionary politicians shaping Nigeria’s democratic space; Paula Osebor continues to be a voice for women’s leadership and social inclusion; while Alphonsus Omah, a trailblazing businessman and CEO, has championed economic growth and job creation. Together, they embody the very best of Nigerian excellence,” he declared.
Mr. Papee added that the recognition by the British American Open University, California, is not just a personal honor for the recipients but a proud moment for Nigeria, affirming the nation’s place on the global stage as a source of transformational leaders whose legacies will inspire generations to come.
Adding spiritual depth and cultural dignity, Apostle Joshua Iginla, General Overseer of Champions Royal Assembly, and His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’Ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, graced the occasion as Fathers of the Day, their presence amplifying the prestige of the event.
Delivering their citations, Prof. Paul Godwin extolled each honoree as “beacons of service, vision, and integrity whose works continue to impact communities and inspire the next generation.”
Prof. Walter Terry, in his remarks, emphasized that “today’s conferment is not just a recognition of individual achievements but a celebration of Nigerian excellence on the global stage. Caleb Onyema, Pedro Okwudili, Paula Osebor, Obioma Agbo, and Alphonsus Omah represent the very values we uphold — leadership, innovation, and an enduring commitment to humanity.”
During their acceptance remarks while speaking with Newsmen, the honorees delivered heartfelt messages that reflected their passions and lifelong commitments.
Caleb Onyema, with a tone of statesmanship, spoke of the urgent need for visionary leadership rooted in service and integrity, emphasizing that Nigeria’s future depends on leaders who prioritize people above personal gain. He challenged the younger generation to rise above cynicism and embrace a culture of accountability and nation-building.
Pedro Okwudili pledged to intensify his long-standing efforts in youth empowerment and education, unveiling plans to expand mentorship and scholarship initiatives that would equip young Nigerians with the tools to compete on the global stage. “Our youths are the heartbeat of this nation. Empowering them is not charity — it is an investment in the Nigeria we dream of,” he declared to loud applause.
Paula Osebor, hailed as a symbol of resilience and trailblazing leadership, highlighted the critical importance of women’s inclusion in governance, leadership, and innovation. She underscored that a society that sidelines its women sidelines its progress. “We must open the doors wider for women, not as a favor, but as a necessity for a stronger, more inclusive Nigeria,” she affirmed, drawing standing ovations from the women present.
Obioma Agbo, drawing from her wealth of legal knowledge and service at the Securities and Exchange Commission, committed himself to advancing community development, transparency, and bridging social divides. She stressed that integrity remains the bedrock of sustainable governance and pledged to continue advocating policies that protect both investors and communities.
Alphonsus Omah, a respected CEO and businessman, promised to expand initiatives aimed at peacebuilding, economic empowerment, and national unity. He revealed plans to scale up his business ventures in ways that would generate jobs, strengthen the economy, and foster harmony among Nigeria’s diverse communities. “Peace and prosperity must walk hand in hand, and it is our duty as leaders to make this a reality,” he concluded, earning another round of thunderous applause.
In his goodwill message, Apostle Joshua Iginla described the honorees as “divinely appointed leaders whose works are impacting lives and bringing hope to generations.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’Ad Abubakar III, lauded them for their service and humility, declaring, “Leaders such as these are the pride of our nation. They remind us that true greatness is not measured by wealth or titles, but by the lives one touches and the legacies one leaves behind.”
The honorary degrees — Doctor of Humane Letters and Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy and Administration — are among the highest distinctions of the British American Open University, California. They celebrate individuals whose exceptional contributions to leadership, innovation, and humanitarian service transcend borders.
With this conferment, Caleb Onyema, Pedro Okwudili, Paula Osebor, Obioma Agbo, and Alphonsus Omah join a distinguished league of statesmen, global thinkers, and change-makers honored by the institution.
Political observers, diplomats, and industry leaders present described the recognition as a momentous celebration of Nigerian excellence. One senior academic noted, “This is a proud day for Nigeria — a day when our brightest sons and daughters are honored not just for what they have achieved, but for the hope they represent for Africa and the world.”
The historic evening concluded with cultural performances, musical interludes, and heartfelt congratulations from friends, family, and supporters. The air was thick with celebration and pride, as the names of Onyema, Okwudili, Osebor, Agbo, and Omah were etched into the distinguished records of global icons recognized for their service to humanity.
As they join the distinguished league of global icons, their stories stand as an enduring reminder that Nigeria continues to raise men and women whose vision and integrity will light the path for generations to come.
The conferment of honorary doctorates on Caleb Onyema, Pedro Okwudili, Paula Osebor, Obioma Agbo, and Alphonsus Omah by the British American Open University, California, will be remembered as a milestone in the chronicles of Nigerian excellence. Their journeys — from Caleb Onyema and Pedro Okwudili’s bold footprints in the nation’s political landscape, to Paula Osebor’s trailblazing advocacy for women’s leadership, Obioma Agbo’s sterling integrity and legal brilliance at the Security and Exchange Commission, and Alphonsus Omah’s visionary entrepreneurship and job creation as a CEO — collectively weave a tapestry of hope and transformation.
As Mr. Leonard Papee, Secretary of the Planning and Mobilization Committee, observed, their legacies already speak louder than words. “These are leaders whose names will echo across time, reminding us that greatness is born not of wealth or titles, but of service, sacrifice, and the lives one touches.”
This recognition stands not only as a personal triumph for the honorees but as a resounding national symbol, affirming that Nigeria continues to raise men and women whose vision, courage, and integrity shine beyond borders and will inspire generations yet unborn.
