By Jonathan Ugbal
The member representing the Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Akpanke; his counterpart in the Wukari/Ibi constituency, Prince Ayuba Marpar and a former Commissioner of Lands in Cross River State, Professor John Inyang were on Wednesday honored as fellows of the Educational Management And Policy Publishing (EMAPP) Nigeria.
The trio were among the 30 fellows inducted at the first national conference of EMAPP ongoing at the International Conference Center of the University of Calabar.
“This is an educational conference with the theme, ‘Funding Architecture for Educational Systems Across The World,” Professor John Undie, EMAPP National President told CrossRiverWatch.
Explaining the need for the fellowship with the inductees drawn from different walks of life, Professor Undie said: “This was a recognition for people who have contributed to publishing over time. We decided that we will identify certain persons who have done much in the field of scholarship and make them fellows of the body so that we will come to tap from their experience and from their knowledge to leverage on that to sustain the gap so we will be able to continue to generate knowledge and to distribute knowledge which is what we signed up for as our job as academics; to teach and generate research.”
Others include the Dean of the Faculty of Educational Foundation Studies, Prof. Anthonia Emmanuel, Prof. Uzoma Nwogu, Prof. Gertrude Okenwa, Prof. Beatrice Achilike, Prof. Uzoma Aja-Okorie, and Prof. Ibrahim Fika.
Prof. Simeon Adebayo Oladipo, Prof. Nnennaya Ibiam, Prof. Shamaki Esther Baba, Prof. Afa Sam Omenyi, Prof. Francis Akubilo, Prof. Virgy Onyene, and Assoc. Prof. Theresa Gyang were among the inductees.
Also, Rt Revd Prince Christian, Dr. Sule Abubakar, Dr. Musa Harbau, Dr. Mustapha Baba Ibi, Dr. Joseph Anebi, Dr. Manafa Ifeyinwa, Dr. Osegbue Gloria Chinese, Dr. Ntasiobo Nwankwo, Dr. Stella Ezeako, Dr. Ohamobi Nkechi, Dr. Ivagher Dondo, Dr. Teresa Akpama, Dr. Luke Adams and Mr. Joel Jutum completed the list.
About half of the inductees were not present but were all admitted as fellows by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Linkages and Collaboration, Professor Peters Okafor.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination program in the University, Dr. Rita Akpan Egon; the Protocol Officer to the Vice Chancellor, Mr. Hans Abang Akan and a staff of the institution, Mr. Bebia Philemon Nkpijie were awarded with the Distinguished Award of Excellence by EMAPP.
Responding, Mr. Akpanke said this was the first honor he was receiving since he was sworn in as a lawmaker as he has been turning down similar honors and awards since he believes that his activities were for the betterment of society, hence no need for rewards.
Akpanke, who said the reward for the honor was more work, pledged to support the University community in its quest to build the leaders of tomorrow.
On his part, Prof. Inyang said the theme was apt as he expected recommendations at the end of the conference on sustainable funding for secondary and tertiary institutions.
Inyang also sued for a review of the funding for basic education to determine whether what is currently provided is enough.