By Ndifreke AKPAN
The Akwa Ibom State Government has reassured the University of Uyo authorities that it will continue to support the institution to succeed in line with the administration’s commitment to education, health and economic development of the people.
Governor Udom Emmanuel said even though the University of Uyo is a Federal Government owned Institution, his commitment to its development was informed by the fact that majority of students there are from Akwa Ibom, Cross River and other neighbouring states.
The Governor stated these while addressing members of the 8th Governing Council of the University of Uyo during a courtesy call on him at Government House, Uyo.
He said the university has a whole lot of economic value added to the people of the state, and maintaining that it was not possible for him to ignore its development.
He also reiterated his commitment to the development of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and encouragement of strong economy for people to earn a living and promote vibrant democracy.
Describing the University of Uyo as a partner in progress, he stressed that “anything you bring up that can actually help us improve the quality of what we are giving in there and also make it highly competitive with other universities, we should be able to do it”.
Mr Emmanuel announced its readiness to assist the University of Uyo in organizing the 22nd/23rd Convocation of the Institution fixed for Saturday, November 4, 2017.
Governor Emmanuel directed the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr Etekamba Umoren to work with the leadership of the Institution to identify specific areas of assistance.
The Governor explained areas his administration had collaborated with the University and paid special tributes to the Exams and Records unit for helping to authenticate certificates of most people in the employ of the State Government noting that those identified as fake will soon be prosecuted.
Mr Emmanuel, while reacting to the complaint about Land encroachment, especially at the university main campus, directed the Commissioner for lands and Town planning, Architect Ime Ekpo to provide the University with a certificate of occupancy to forestall such infiltration by land grabbers.
The Governor congratulated the Pro Chancellor, Professor Austin Awuju on his appointment to the position in April this year and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Enefiok Essien on his elevation to the status of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, in the country.
Earlier, the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Uyo, Professor Austin Awuju had said that the visit to the Governor was to formally invite him to the 22nd/23rd Convocation of the Institution.
The Pro Chancellor, accompanied by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Enefiok Essien, SAN, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Professor Godfrey Udo, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Mrs Inyang Udofot and other top officials of the Institution, requested for support from Akwa Ibom State Government to organize the event.
The visitors said they were looking forward to having the Governor at the convocation while maintaining cordial, mutual and beneficial relationship between the Akwa Ibom State Government and the University of Uyo.
They appealed for intervention by the State Government to fast track the release of take-off grants by Federal Government to the University and further pleaded for the fulfillment of promises made by past administrations to the university.
