Akwa Ibom State governor Umo Eno has returned to the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) to complete his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme, which he discontinued in the run-up to the 2023 elections.
His political godfather and predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, drew him into politics.
At the last combined 26, 27 and 28 convocations of the institution in December last year, the governor regretted that he would have graduated along with them, but for the necessity of politics, he vowed to return to class after executing his governorship ambition.
Addressing enthusiastic students after presenting chapters 1, 2, and 3 of his Political Science thesis to the academic panel, the governor urged the youth to engage in self-development and continuously take advantage of opportunities globally.
He noted that preparing and waiting for opportunities was good, as opportunity may never wait for anyone. He stressed that while it was also good enough to chant “build the youth,” the youths must also devise ways of building themselves to fit into today’s competitive society.
He recalled that he had finished his coursework some years ago but could not proceed with the other requirements for the award of a PhD due to his political engagements. He added that having finished his seminar presentation, he was ready to complete the entire process.
In his PhD seminar presentation titled, “Natural Resources, Governance and Socio-economic Development of Oil Producing Communities in Akwa Ibom State,” he recommended, among others, that “there should be a constitutional framework, the political will and sincerity of purpose, to enable oil producing communities, traditional rulers, youth associations, community development associations, and individuals to be beneficiaries of derivation funds to the oil-producing states.”
The governor appreciated the students for coming to receive him and assured them that educational advancement remains a priority in his administration’s blueprint, the ARISE Agenda.
He assured that under his administration, bursaries would be paid yearly to Akwa Ibom students and other educational support schemes, where necessary.
The governor commended his department and faculty lecturers, as well as the UNIUYO community, for the opportunity to have his first degree and master’s, and he is currently on the verge of completing his PhD. He vowed to remain a good ambassador of the institution through the policies and programmes of the state under his leadership.
He also commended the university for standing for the truth, especially during the electioneering campaigns, when people peddled falsehoods and other vile campaigns of blackmail and subterfuge concerning his educational attainments.
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