The University of Port Harcourt recently witnessed the end of an era as Professor Lucky Akaruese formally retired after decades of dedicated service to academia and humanity. The milestone was marked by an outpouring of respect from former students and colleagues, including a deeply personal tribute from Daniel Reyenieju, the Coordinator of the South-South Former Legislators Forum. Reyenieju described the retiring academic as a rare breed of educator who focused on nurturing the strengths of his students rather than searching for their faults.
Reyenieju’s connection with Professor Akaruese spans several stages of his life, beginning when the professor served as his secondary school Vice-Principal. According to the former lawmaker, Akaruese was the pivotal figure who introduced him to the world of Philosophy, a discipline he had never even heard of before his university entrance exams. Through steady guidance and intellectual encouragement, the professor opened a door to a new universe of thought that would eventually shape Reyenieju’s career and worldview.
The bond between the two remained strong even after Akaruese moved to the University of Port Harcourt. Reyenieju recalled how the professor’s departure from his earlier station left many students feeling intellectually restless, as they continued to search for the deeper understanding he had first sparked in them. This lifelong respect prompted Reyenieju to travel to Port Harcourt specifically to witness the retirement ceremony, though an urgent assignment in Imo State eventually prevented him from standing by his mentor’s side during the final moments of the event.
Reports indicate that the retirement lecture was a massive affair, with a nearly 2,000-capacity hall filled to the brim. The audience was a diverse mix of students, retired professors, former Vice-Chancellors, and members of civil society. Notably, Chiefs from the Warri Kingdom also attended to honor a man whose influence has reached far beyond the classroom. For Reyenieju, the sheer size of the crowd was a testament to the fact that a teacher’s true legacy is measured by the lives they transform rather than the titles they hold.
In his final reflections, Reyenieju emphasized that while the formal lectures may have come to an end, the professor’s impact would continue to echo through the many minds he helped shape. He praised Akaruese as an educator who chose to inspire rather than intimidate, and who always encouraged his students to reach for their best. It is this legacy of kindness and intellectual curiosity that remains the hallmark of Professor Akaruese’s long and distinguished career.
