Wins Professor Enyinna Okpara’s Prize for Best PhD Dissertation with 72% Score
By Ewere Okonta, PhD
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eob.org.ng
History was made yesterday in Benin City as Dr. Ewere Okonta, a lecturer in the Department of Business Administration, University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor, emerged as the Best Graduating PhD Student at the 14th Convocation Ceremony of Wellspring University, Benin City.
Dr. Okonta, who earned a PhD in Business Administration from the prestigious institution, also clinched the Professor Enyinna Okpara’s Prize for the Best PhD Dissertation, recording an impressive score of 72 per cent.
His award-winning dissertation, titled “Digital Technology and Corporate Efficiency of Listed Non-Financial Firms in Nigeria: A Stochastic Frontier Approach,” distinguished him among the graduating doctoral candidates and earned him special recognition at the ceremony.
For Dr. Okonta, the achievement represents more than an academic milestone; it is the culmination of years of dedication, intellectual commitment, mentorship and support.
In a moving acknowledgement, he dedicated the award to his mentor and sponsor, Dr. Donald Peterson, whom he credited with making his postgraduate academic journey possible through his sponsorship of both his MSc and PhD programmes in Business Administration at Wellspring University.
He also expressed profound appreciation to his doctoral supervisors, Prof. Patrick Ohikhena and Prof. Mrs. Joy Iyiegbuniwe, for their invaluable guidance, scholarly contributions and commitment throughout the research process.
Other academics acknowledged for their contributions included the Head of the Department of Business Administration, Dr. Solomon Effiong; the Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Enyinna Okpara; and his internal examiner, Prof. Wilfred Iyiegbuniwe.
Dr. Okonta equally commended his external examiner, Prof. Sunday Osaretin Igbinosa, for his professionalism and thoroughness during the doctoral examination, which he described as an important part of his academic journey.
Beyond the individual recognition, the 14th Convocation Ceremony marked another significant milestone in the history of Wellspring University as the institution graduated its pioneer set of 15 doctoral students from the Departments of Accounting and Business Administration.
The graduating cohort comprised eight PhD graduates in Accounting, five PhD graduates in Business Administration and two recipients of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree.
The development represents an important chapter in the university's postgraduate education journey and underscores its growing contribution to advanced scholarship and research development.
For the University of Delta, Agbor, Dr. Okonta's achievement is another moment of pride, bringing distinction to the institution through the academic accomplishment of one of its lecturers.
His emergence as the best graduating doctoral student, coupled with the recognition of his research, is a testament to the value of perseverance, academic discipline and the power of mentorship.
Indeed, behind every outstanding academic achievement lies a story of sacrifice, encouragement and determination. For Dr. Ewere Okonta, yesterday's recognition in Benin City was not just the celebration of a doctorate but the reward for a journey that has now added another remarkable chapter to his academic career.
Dr Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media, a family-values advocate, teacher and writer. He writes from the Department of Business Administration, University of Delta, Agbor.
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