IKOT EKPENE
The Akwa Ibom State deputy governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, has said that the believe of Pastor Umo Eno, in private sector participation in the educatiomal development of the state, was a strong indication that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aspirant, would consolidate on the efforts made by the Udom administration in the provision of qualitative education in the state.
Mr Ekpo, recently stated this at the 2nd and 3rd convocation ceremony of Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, where 194 graduates of the institution, bagged various degrees with seven obtaining First Class in 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 academic sessions.
The deputy governor who was delighted on the fact that Pastor Eno, was among the first batch of parents to have his ward enrolled at Ritman University in 2015, explained that his believe in the university at a time he did not know the future of RitmanUniversity, showed his passion for education especially as regards the contribution of the private sector in the growth of tertiary education.
Mr Ekpo who at the event drummed support for the aspiration of Pastor Umo Eno in the 2023 Governor’s election, stated that acceptance of Ritman University as that which could transform his child, indicated that the governorship hopeful, was interested in education and he would continue with the educatiomalprogrammes of the present administration.
The deputy governor who was at the convocation ceremony on a dual capacity; representing Governor Udom Emmanuel and a special ally of the visitor and proprietor of the institution, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, said he was at the occasion to rejoice with him as a friend for turning a one-time forest onto a citadel of learning.
Mr Ekpo, applauded the vision of the founder of the university, stressing that such gesture was a demonstration of the visitor’s commitment to complement the effort of the Akwa Ibom Government to provision of qualitative tertiary education for Akwa Ibom children and other Nigerians.
As the representative of Governor Udom Emmanuel, Mr Ekpo, said the governor said Akwa Ibom was blessed with three privately owned universities – the Obong University, RitmanUniversity and the most recently established TopfaithUniversity, which he pointed out had broaden the opportunity for university admission for Akwa Ibom children, and lauded them for responding to the call by government for private sector involvement in the education sector..
Earlier, the visitor to the university, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, had commended Pastor Umo Eno, for having confidence on Ritman University, to have allowed his children to be educated at the institution at its inception on 2015.
The vice chancellor of the institution, Professor Celestine Ntuen, said while the 2nd convocation was for students who had completed the 2019/2020 academic programmes, with MrIfeanyi Akudike of the Department of Economics, emerged as the best graduating student with CGPA of 4.80, the 3rd convocation, was for those who completed the 2020/2021 session with Mfonobong Bassey of the Department of Computer Science, recorded a CGPA of 4.81.
Professor Ntuen stated that the two batches of convocation had a total of 194 graduands: 75 students for 2019/2020 session and 119, for 2020/2021 school year.
The event featured the installation of Bishop Camillus Umoh as the second chancellor of the university and the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degree on Conflict Resolution on AtekeMichael Tom from Okrika, Rivers State.
Goodwill messages at the convocation came from the National Universities Commission (NUC), University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Obong University and TopfaithUniversity, among others.
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