A Nigerian, Dr. Peter Nwosu has said that he is both humbled and thrilled to become the first black President of the State University of New York.
As the 11th President of SUNY Oswego, Nwosu spoke about the institution’s past, present and exciting future during his Inauguration ceremony on Friday, September 27, 2024.
It was a day that the campus, community and guests from around the world came together to celebrate his inauguration as president, culminating a week of activities focusing on the institution and its future.
The inauguration featured addresses from the president and other dignitaries as well as opportunities to showcase students and other campus community members in poetry and song.
“Today marks an extraordinary moment in our collective journey and I am both humbled and thrilled to stand before you as the 11th president of the State University of New York at Oswego,” President Nwosu said.
Nwosu during his address talked about his experience coming to the United States of America (USA) from Nigeria as an immigrant student and how he kept the pair of shoes he brought with him.
“Those shoes humble me, those shoes center me and those shoes remind me of the journey that brought me here, highlighting the transformative power of education,” he said.
“The students who come to us each year come in their own shoes, seeking opportunities to improve their lives and their communities.
“Those shoes serve as a powerful reminder of our shared purpose and the profound moral responsibility we have to ensure that every student who comes to us completes their education and goes on to serve our region, our nation and the world.”
To help serve students and the region, President Nwosu spoke about the university’s commitment to a Vision 4040 plan.
According to him, the plan is to double the number of degrees and quality credentials provided by the State University of New York from 20,000 for the previous decade to 40,000 by the year 2040.
“Our Vision 4040 is a challenge, a powerful challenge and a call to action aimed at fostering a more educated region, enhancing upward mobility and developing the talent required for advancing our region’s economic growth,” he said.
“The State University of New York continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for individuals from near and far, a place where curiosity meets purpose.
“It is a place with a focus on empowering students with hands-on learning and practical experiences to reach their fullest potential, an emphasis that goes back to the institution’s 1861 founding by pioneering educator, Edward Austin Sheldon.
“As we embark on this exciting journey together, let us remember that our strength lies in our unity and our collaboration and our shared vision.
“You have heard me quote the African proverb which goes this way: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’”
Meanwhile, following his feat, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi in a post on his official X account on Thursday morning congratulated Nwosu.
“I sincerely congratulate the Nigerian-born Dr. Peter Nwosu, on his landmark achievement of emerging as the 11th and first black President of the State University of New York at Oswego, United States,” Obi wrote.
“In a historic watershed event, Dr Nwosu was officially inaugurated into this very distinguished position on the 27th of September, marking the first time an African-born president and an immigrant will lead the 163-year-old institution.
“As a man who has remained passionate and committed to the growth of education in society, Dr. Nwosu has continued to inspire the youths to prioritize education as a pathway to success in life.
“His visible achievements are a stark reminder, not just to individuals in society, but to us, the leaders of the Nigerian society, of the need to prioritize investment in education if we must salvage our nation from its present level of decadence and place it on the path of development.
“As I have maintained, education remains the best investment any nation can make for its citizens.
“I congratulate him once again and pray to God to grant him the wisdom and strength to function effectively in this new position as he also continues to contribute to our national development, especially in the education sector. A New Nigeria is POssible.”
