UNIUYO Convocation: Akpabio Charges Council Members

*As VC Set to Bow out

By Linus Effiong

The University of Uyo has rounded off her 16^th convocation ceremony with a call on all students to keep the dreams of is founders alive.

Speaking at the 16^th convocation ceremony Gov. Godswill Akpabio said he was very proud of the University of Uyo and the leadership of the Institution. The Governor challenged the council, the pro-chancellor and members of Council in seeking for a replacement. In his word, he said, “look for a square peg in a square hole”.

He cautioned the Council and its members against making a wrong choice for the University. “Instead of the University progressing, it will retrogress”, he added. The Governor extolled the good qualities and the leadership style of Prof. Akaranaren Essien describing him as efficient and effective among. The Chief Executive of the State expressed joy that with free and compulsory Education in the state, the era of using children for house maids is gone. Gov. Akpabio gave scholarships and financial support to two best graduating students.

Also speaking, the Chancellor of the University of Uyo who also is the son of the late Chancellor and the present Emir of Fika, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa called on all students to stay away from cultism and other vices. He noted that it is an undeniable fact that cult activities have ruined the lives of many Youths and sometimes the institution itself and advised the students to devote their times to serious academic work in order to make their dreams come true. Addressing the Alumni of the University, the Emir of Fika called on them to go back to the system they got by establishing a more robust Alumi association.

Further more, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Akanaren Essien noted that the convocation was being held at the main Campus of the University in a bid to effectively register the presence and continuous pursuit of the physical development of 1443 hectares of land acquired by the University. The Vice Chancellor thanked the State government for its support in the construction of internal roads within the campus and its efforts at reclaiming courses in the University that had lost accreditation.

Speaking on the issue of Post UME screening, Prof. Essien said, the University of Uyo has and will still continue to admit candidates into the University via the Post UME screening because these had highly served as a dependable instrument of admission exercise which had improved the quality of students studying in the Institution.

Prof. Essien further gave the breakdown of the graduating students to include: First Degree, 1^st Class Student 4; 2^nd class Upper, 462; 2^nd Class Lower, 1919; 3^rd Class, 835, Pass, 49. Others include, Diploma 24; Graduates of College of Education lla Orangu, 908; Post Graduate Diploma, 161; Masters Degree, 354 and Ph.D, 49. Grand total of 4765 students. It is however worth of note that Professor Akananeren Essien was appointed as the 3^rd substantive Vice-Chancellor whose tenure will come to an end on 30^th November, 2010.

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