University of Calabar (UNICAL) has concluded arrangement for the award of doctorate degrees (honorary causa) to the Cross River State governor, Bassey Otu, and Senate President GodsWill Akpabio as part of activities to mark the institution’s 50th anniversary.
Other alumni and dignitaries to be honoured with the honorary degree at the anniversary scheduled for March 23 include the deputy speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and a Supreme Court of judge, Emmanuel Agim.
The VC of the university, Prof Florence Obi disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the anniversary committee to the governor’s office, Calabar, on Friday.
While highlighting the institution’s historic milestone, the VC said that Governor Otu is the first indigenous alumnus of UNICAL to become governor of Cross River State.
During the visit, the vice chancellor conferred the title of ‘University Ambassador’ on the governor, acknowledging Otu’s numerous contributions to both the university and the state.
In his reaction to the development, the Governor Otu, who graduated from UNICAL in 1984, expressed joy for the honour done him and lauded the management of his alma mater for transforming the institution to rank among other top tertiary institutions in the country.
“To think that UNICAL will be celebrating 50 years in March nearly took me aback. I left the school in 1984, and when I see the number of years that has passed, I realise how much the university has grown. It is truly worth celebrating,” Otu maintained.
He further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the university, pledging to work closely with the institution to ensure its continued growth and excellence.
