Better Days Ahead For Akwa Ibom State University – Chancellor
As Pro-chancellor, Vice Chancellor Meet Chancellor, Hold Inaugural Meeting
By Edidiong Albert
The chancellor of the Akwa Ibom State University and Oku Ibom Ibibio, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk has expressed confidence that the newly appointed pro-chancellor, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, and the vice-chancellor, Prof. Nse Essien, would work assiduously together to advance the growth and development of the state institution.
The chancellor and chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, who spoke while receiving in audience the pro-chancellor and chancellor at his palace in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area on Tuesday, congratulated the duo for their well-merited appointments.
Ntenyin Etuk, while appreciating the pro-chancellor and vice chancellor for the homage urged them to constantly reflect on the vision, mission and objective of the university to be able to drive it desirably.
He also charged them to build stronger synergy with one another, members of the council, university community and stakeholders generally as a way to move the university forward.
READ ALSO: Senator Udoma Udo Udoma Now Pro-Chancellor of AKSU
He remarked, “We have a purpose and that purpose must be achieved. That purpose is to move Akwa Ibom State forward, move the university forward in line with the dreams and initiatives of His Excellency, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. He has given us the guidelines on how we should work and work together.
“I want to assure the people of Akwa Ibom State very strongly, that this new team is going to perform excellently in line with the laid down programmes of the university. The purpose, mission and objectives are our guidelines and we will do our best.”
The premier royal father was happy that Senator Udoma, a two-term senator, who represented Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District from 1999-2007 and also former minister for budget and national planning under President Muhammadu Buhari, readily accepted the appointment as made by the governor to serve the state and the university in particular.
“I also want to use this opportunity to thank Senator Udoma for accepting the position of the pro-chancellor of the university. I know with his experience globally he will do more than is expected and the university is going to be something different from what it may have been,” he quipped.
He equally assured the duo of his preparedness to offer all the necessary support as may be required from him as the chancellor of the university, adding, “Feel free to reach out to me at any time on issues you feel I can contribute to towards uplifting the university and I will surely act.”
Earlier, the pro-chancellor, Senator Udoma, who led the visit to the royal father and chancellor, stated that the homage was to formally present themselves to him after their appointment to seek his counsel, advice and blessings before excising the functions of their assigned offices.
Senator Udoma said, “The University is very important to the state. It is an apex of the various institutions in the state and so, our role is very important. So with your guidance as to the chancellor, we are expressing our commitment to work very hard to make that university achieve the objectives for which it was established.
“It should be a centre for excellence in education and we believe that can be done, with your guidance and with the support of His Excellency, Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, whose vision it is, and so we will work hard to achieve that vision. That is the main purpose of our visit. I thank you once more for receiving us so warmly and I look forward to your continuing guidance as to the chancellor of the university.”
In his remark, the vice-chancellor, Prof. Nse Essien, thanked the chancellor for the kind reception accorded them and assured that his administration would work to meet the expectations of the state governor and the people generally.
Prof. Essien said, “I will like to assure Akwa Ibom people that with this new team, they should not expect anything less and that Akwa Ibom State University will grow in leaps and bounds.”
