UK Varsity Honours Nigerian Economist With D.Sc Degree

     The University of Exeter, United Kingdom, has conferred an honorary Doctor of Science degree on a renowned Nigerian economist, Prof. Charles Okeahalam, in recognition of his contributions to knowledge.     The D.Sc degree is a very rare academic honour given to distinguished academics that have made significant contributions to research and intellectual development in their area of specialisation.
     Okeahalam, who has
written extensively on economics, banking and finance, was given the D.Sc degree in Economics by the UK institution for his contributions to the study of financial economics, banking and finance in Africa in December.
Okeahalam, a co-founder of AGH Capital, an investment firm, obtained his Ph.D over 20 years ago before he became a professor of Banking and Finance at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He is a leading scholar in the application of econometric methods to banking, financial sector regulation, capital market development and investment in Africa.
      A statement signed by the AGH Capital Offices in Johannesburg, quoted the university to have stated that Okeahalam was given the award because of his contributions to the development of knowledge in banking and finance.
  "To the best of our knowledge, he is the first person in Africa to be awarded such a higher doctorate degree in banking and finance. He joins another notable economist, the late Dr. Pius Okigbo as the only other Nigerian to have been awarded the higher doctorate degree of DS.c in Economics by Exeter'', a statement made available to newsmen by the firm stated.
Speaking on the honour done him by the UK university, Okeahalam said he was extremely proud to be so honoured, adding that it would spur him to do more for the development of banking and financial education on the continent.
Okeahalam currently sits on the board of BGL Plc as a non-executive director.
He has significant business management and operations experience and an extensive strategic network in most parts of Africa.
     He has also been involved in the restructuring of a number of commercial and public sector enterprises including being a member of the Board of Directors of South African Airways.
       Okeahalam has also made numerous contributions to public service and has served as 2006 Chairman of the Steering Committee for the establishment of the Pan-African Infrastructure Development Fund set up by the Governments of South Africa and Nigeria.
He also served from 2003 to2007 as a member of the Governing Council of the United Nations Institute for Developing Economic Policy in Dakar, Senegal. Okeahalam is also a Trustee of African Monitor as well as a member of the Council of the University of Cape Town.
    He has also contributed to public policy debates on a wide range of commercial issues and served as an advisor to a number of central banks, government ministries, the World Bank and the United Nations.

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