Rivers State Deputy Governor Professor Mrs Ngozi Odu was among friends and well-wishers who came out to celebrate Professor Blessing Ahiazu as she turned 70.
In what would best be described as a captivating send off for a woman who spent the better part of her life in the academia, colleagues, friends, church members and a host of dignitaries converged at her residence for a warm reception.
Speaking at the event, the deputy governor of Rivers state, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu said the celebrant is a selfless contributor to humanity, and not just the academic environment.
“Having worked closely with her over the years, while she’s celebrating 70 today, I’ll add one and half to that one, yet I call her Sister Bless. She is worthy of emulation and congratulations are in order”, she said.
Laying emphasis on the words of the Deputy Governor, the Vice chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, described Prof. Blessing as a first class academic and dogged fighter, adding that her contributions to the university development would be indelible in the sands of time.
“Being the first professor of Rivers State Library, I am proud of her virtues.
“Having worked for 44 years and served under 6 vice chancellors without query, is commendable” he said.
Eulogising her prowess, other speakers from the university Department of Library Science spoke highly of her readiness and availability to service.
Speaking about the celebration, Prof. Blessing said that the university moulded her into the dynamic woman everyone was celebrating.
She advised those in the system and those who wished to go in to be diligent in carrying out their duties.
“Those still serving should defer gratification and work first, gratification will come later. And those who seek to go in, when they go in, they should focus on the job. Greed is a killer. Quick fix is not the best attitude in life. Slow and steady, they say wins the race. And with the backing of God, they will make it”, she said.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the lunching of her second autobiography titled “Seven Decades of Rainbow Path”
Joining a host of dignitaries and egg heads at the occasion to pay tribute and lunch the book, Professor Emeritus, and former Vice Chancellor of the then Rivers state university of Science and Technology (UniTech), Prof. Simon Achinewhu, said that the realisation that the celebrant had played her part in the Department of Library Science was soul lifting.
He prayed that she would live to see the goodness of God accomplished in her life.
Giving a review of the book, the author said, having worked in the university for over 44 years, the university environment moulded her into the woman she had become. Stating clearly, she said the book is written for her children and grandchildren
”I have sat down to write about myself. The good side and the not-so-good side of the story.
“The challenges and the exploits . So that on that last day, my children will pick it up and extract what they want and add what they will like to add and that becomes the biography of their mother.”
The author further stated that the book would encourage younger ones to learn diligence to be able to succeed in life.

John Bibor