UNICAL@ 50: Betta Edu, Akpabio, Gov Otu, Others Honoured With Awards, Inducted Into Hall Of Fame

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the University of Calabar, the prestigious institution on Thursday evening honoured eminent Nigerians including Dr Betta Edu, President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt.Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu , Cross River State governor, Mr Bassey Otu among others.

They were honoured with the ‘Grand Ambassadors and Legacy Face of the University’ awards while they were also permanently inducted into the University’s Hall of Fame.

Giving her speech during the event, Dr Edu thanked the University’s management for finding her worthy of the recognition, describing it as ‘incredible honour’  while promising to continue to be a good Ambassador of the University.

She also paid glowing tribute to President Bola Tinubu ‘for his support and fatherly guidance, assuring Nigerians especially the education sector that there is bright light with the renewed hope agenda’; ‘it’s a process keep faith!’ she added.

‘Thank you to the University’s esteemed Management and staff  for this incredible honour. I am truly humbled to receive this award, and I am grateful for the recognition in the hall of fame. 

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to my golden Vice-Chancellor and her team, the Student Union Government and my lecturers who have always supported me throughout my journey, and built leadership foundation for my public service.

I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude and joy, this award is not just a recognition of my own efforts, but also a testament to the fact that more responsibilities have been given to me with far-reaching impact in Nigeria and the globe’ a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com quoted Dr Betta Edu as saying.

Speaking further, Dr Betta Edu paid special tribute to Unical, describing the institution as ‘my very powerful University that actually built the leadership skills in me’.

To support infrastructure projects at the institution, Edu announced that ‘the Class 2009 of the Medical school will be contributing to the completion and equipping of the new medical center at the university, and we will be doing that by making an initial donation of the sum of N15 million Naira’ noting that ‘they have asked me to make this pledge on their behalf’.

Earlier in her welcome address, Professor Obi recounted the journey of Unical from its days as the campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and when it took off in 1975 as a full- fledged university and described the journey as ‘50 years of resilience, 50 years of impactful knowledge and service to humanity’. ‘We are very proud to have the Senate President of Nigeria as one of us. We are proud to have deputy speaker of the house of reps, the governor of Cross River State, Minister, senators and indeed the deputy governor Cross River State, we are very proud of my daughter, Doctor Betta Edu for always making the University proud’ she added-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you