The Imo State University Alumni Association (IMSUAA), Rivers Spectacular Chapter, has advised Nigerians to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) gathering tools to solve humanity’s challenges, ranging from climate change to diseases.
The Chairman of the association, Mr Christian Kanu, gave the advice during the “2025 Spectacular Cultural Day,” held in Port Harcourt, on Sunday.
Kanu said that the 3-day event started on Friday, with the theme “Maintain the Balance: AI and Humanty in the 21st Century”.
He said the celebration aimed at educating the public on the need to urgently embrace AI tools to enhance advanced development.
He emphasised the need for balance between progress and preservation, intelligence and integrity, data and dignity in the face of rapid AI transformation.
Kanu said that AI is reshaping industries, governance, education, healthcare, agriculture, banking, and workers, with global investment exceeding $350 billion annually.
He listed the group’s efforts in building the capacity of its members through trainings, such as financial literacy and investment banking lectures, giving back to school projects, like sensitisation programmes to some secondary schools, and universities in Port Harcourt.
He also highlighted the group’s partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons to support some orphanages and hosting of family sports fiesta, among others.
Kanu expressed appreciation to the Vice Chancellor, Imo State University, Owerri, Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze, the National President of the IMSUAA, Dr Charles Nwosu, the Patron of the association, Chief Clovis Okereke, and the group’s Board of Trustees, for their support.
Kanu reaffirmed the chapter’s commitment to unity and progress of the country.
The Vice-Chancellor, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, who was the Keynote Speaker, also expressed concern about the evolution of AI and its impact on humanity.
Onuchuku, represented by Dr Florence Iroanwusi, Department of Philosophy in Human Resources Management of the university, spoke on the topic, “The Nexus of AI and Humanity in the 21st Century: Emerging Considerations”.
He said that the technology companies talk about innovation, but often forgot the difficulties faced with face-to-face conversations, and now the automatic notifications sent by a system.
He said that balancing AI and humanity in the 21st Century was a challenge that must be confronted with urgency and wisdom, saying that the risk of human agency was real and inevitable.
Onuchuku advised that people should take proactive steps to ensure that their future remained in their hands.
According to him, the balance between AI and humanity is not a fixed point, but a dynamic ongoing process of stewardship.
He further said that the power of AI is undeniable, offering the potential to solve humanity challenges, but requires people to realise the future to define their terms of partnership with the machine.
“We must embrace AI, not as a competitor, but an advanced collaborator, governed by ethics framework that firmly place human dignity, fairness and self determination at the centre.
“The 21st Century demands that we exercise our unique human capacities, wisdom, empathy, and foresight to build the guardrails that ensure AI’s progress leads to a more equitable and flourishing human future,” he said.
The highlight of the event included excellence awards, shining stars’ awards, and spectacular like-minded awards, recognising individuals, who demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and excellence in their respective careers.