Logo of Obong University used to demonstrate the story. (Credit: Google/Facebook)
• 598 students graduate
Abasifreke Effiong
Obong University will honour Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, with a degree, Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, during her 9th to 13th convocation on Saturday 20th April.
Pastor Eno was selected for the honour for his rural development agenda, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Udoudo Ekanemesang, disclosed at a press conference on Sunday 14th April.
598 students who have completed different academic programmes are cleared for the graduation ceremony holding in the Ben Jones auditorium on the university’s campus at Obong Ntak, Etim Ekpo local government area, Akwa Ibom State.
Obong University, a faith-based institution and premier private university in Akwa Ibom founded by Church of Christ was licenced by the National Universities Commission in 2007.
Prof. Ekanemesang said the Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Udo Joe Ntuk Obom XII, will receive the Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, during the convocation.
According to a press release by the university, a convocation lecture will hold on Friday 19th April.
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The lecture on the topic, “Nigeria: A resource-rich Nation in crisis – Are there any solutions?” will be delivered by Prof. Akpan Ekpo, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo and Akwa Ibom State University as well as Director General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, (WAIFEM).
The convocation lecture will be preceded by a reunion assembly and election by the university’s alumni association.
Prof. Ekanemesang said the award committee selected Governor Eno for the honour because of his rural development agenda as a way of encouraging him to do more for rural dwellers and communities of the state.
“Governor Umo Eno is quiet unique among the Governors we have had in Akwa Ibom. We chose him because his programme has a human face. His ARISE agenda is for the rural communities. We agree with his rural development agenda, it is an important goal. We want to encourage him for knowing and ensuring that everything should not be for the elite”, the Vice Chancellor said.
Obong University honoured the former Governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah, for leading the advocacy for that brought the abrogation of the onshore/offshore dichotomy which laid foundation for the payment of 13 per cent to oil-producing states, and a foremost colonial tax clerk and Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom, His Royal Majesty, Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang.
