Ritman University Convocation: Ibokessien Awards Scholarship to best graduating students

As a reward for excellence and hard work, the founder of Ritman University Ikot Ekpene, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien has awarded scholarships to the best graduating students of Ritman University to further their studies up to the PhD level. The said scholarships were awarded at the maiden convocation ceremony of the institution which took place at the weekend in the school’s sports ground.

Speaking at the occasion, Senator Ibokessien appreciated God for preserving everyone to witness the event. He appreciated his wife for her supports, while he thanked the parents for believing in Ritman University and sending their children to obtain sound knowledge in the school.

The Ritman helmsman appreciated the Management and staff of Ritman Schools for their hard work and dedication that placed the school on the pedestal of excellence and prayed God to bless everyone who contributed in no small measure to the growth and success of the institution.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of Ritman University, Senator Effiong Bob commended Senator Ibokessien for his tireless efforts in setting the overall policy direction of the school to operate by the rules and good governance policies of the National Universities Commission (NUC). He noted that since its inception in 2015, Ritman University has had a mixed grill of challenges and successes, which gave hope that their aspiration to make the institution a first-rate, virile centre of academic excellence was well within reach. He expressed optimism that Ritman University will transform the entire Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area into a booming economic environment and repository of the best that the best minds have to offer.

Senator Bob appreciated the efforts that employees and stakeholders are making towards the growth of the institution, while expressing hope that they will make a positive turnaround as the university enters the next phase of development.

In his convocation speech, the Chancellor of the school, Senator Godswill Akpabio congratulated Ritman University, particularly the graduating students on the institution’s first convocation ceremony, adding that they have left an indelible footprints in the sands of time. He urged the Ritman University’s pioneer graduates and the rest of the cerebral people in the institution to brace up for the challenge of development and produce ideas that would change the world.

The Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Council, Prof. Nsongurua Udombana in his goodwill message, appreciated the Management of Ritman University for the feat it has attained, noting that such is a testament to the audacity, tenacity and sacrifice of the Founder (Ibokessien), the perseverance and focus of the Management and staff, the industry and diligence of the graduands and the goodwill/supports of other stakeholders.

Prof. Udombana congratulated the graduands and admonished them to be a source of pride to their parents, their Alma Mata and anyone they get in contact with in the outside world.

On his part, the Vice Chancellor of Ritman University, Prof. Celestine Ntuen said it was a beautiful day in the anals of history for the institution to graduate her first set of students in the nick of time – exactly four years after commencement. He pointed out that Ritman University resolved to educate scholars and leaders capable of solving societal problems, and have remained committed to their tasks as evidenced in the first set of their graduands which he said have been launched into a journey of turning challenges into opportunities and making a difference in their chosen fields.

He charged the graduating students to always imbibe the “Ritman Way” in which they were taught, in thinking critically while seeking insights to solving daunting problems in any angle they come across.

The beneficiaries of the Senator Ibokessien’s scholarship awards are: Bassey, Arnold, Victor with a CGPA of 4.60 from the Department of Mathematics and computer science and Nyahette, Enobong Monday with a CGPA of 4.57 from the Department of Biological Sciences.

Responding on behalf of the graduating students, Arnold Bassey appreciated the Management of the Ritman University for giving them sound moral and academic training. He thanked the Vice Chancellor for always advising them on matters pertaining to their academics and life in general, while expressing their preparedness to move on and take whatever challenges life throws at them. He encouraged his colleagues to march into the society with smiling faces and positive attitudes so as to summount challenges and achieve greatness.

The event also featured conferment of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (D. Sc.) on Senator Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) on Sir Effiong Daniel Affiakurue.