President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Visitor to the University of Uyo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has called on universities to embark on cutting edge research that will help develop the country.
Speaking at the 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremony of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the President noted that education is the cornerstone of national development, and must be responsive and transformative for accelerated development to take place in the nation.
Represented by Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), the President said the government was aware of the challenges facing the nation, and assured that the Government was committed to surmounting the challenges and implementing measures that will mitigate the impact to the people, particularly the most vulnerable.
In his remarks, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, paid glowing tribute to President Tinubu for his passion and dedication to growing the economy and turning Nigeria into an economic powerhouse in Africa.
He used the occasion to canvass support for the President Tinubu -led Federal government, expressing optimism that his economic policies would yield the desired results.
“Let me first thank the Visitor of this great citadel of learning, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his passionate dedication in growing our economy and repositioning our nation as the dominant economic powerhouse in Africa.
“The path to getting us to that destination may be rough and hard as we are currently experiencing, but if we give him our support and prayers, we would surely get there.”
The Governor described his graduation with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Administration as a testament to perseverance and faith in the unending and unchangeable possibilities that exist if one truly believes.
He attributed his academic exploits to his late wife, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno who encouraged him to pursue the degree against all odds.
The Governor acknowledged that his life has been one of sheer grace and faith in the immutable plans of God, hence his decision to run a people-centric government as encapsulated in the ARISE Agenda
He said such programmes as the free food voucher scheme , compassionate homes, building of world- class primary health centres, the ARISe Elderly Care Initiative , Dedicated Ambulance Services, free and compulsory education programme, grants to students and other life changing initiatives stem from his belief in touching lives of the people.
Governor Eno particularly commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Murufu Olatunji Alausa, Chancellor of the University, Emir Hadejia, His Highness, Alhaji Adamu Maje, CON, the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Zubairu Abdallah, Management and Staff of the institution led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Nyaudoh Nadeyo and the Senate for working hard to make the University of Uyo, one of the most sought- after universities in the nation.
The Governor also appreciated his Supervisor, Professor Basil Onouha for his patience and encouragement and for working through his tight schedule to get him to the point of graduation, and also appreciated everyone who had contributed to the success story.
He assured of his commitment to good governance, and therefore urged other graduands to be good ambassadors of the institution.
The convocation ceremony which climaxed with a sumptuous banquet at the Banquet Hall, Government House Uyo, featured messages of felicitation and goodwill from the Deputy Governor of the State, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, and his supervisor, Professor Onouha, as well as cutting of a cake, while former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem proposed the toast.
