By Jonathan Ugbal
Nigeria’s longest monarch, HRM Uti Joseph Davis Agba has been installed as the second Chancellor of the Cross River University of Technology, CRUTECH.
His installation comes over years after the death of the first Chancellor, Dr. Matthew Mbu died in London.
Installing Mr. Agba, the Visitor of the institution and Governor of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade charged him to lead the institution to greater heights.
The Varsity’s senate also approved the conferment of a Doctorate Degree of Arts History (Honoris Causa) on the Chancellor.
He was later decorated by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh and the Pro Chancellor, Dr. Emil Inyang who is also the Chairman of the Governing Council.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Agba congratulated the graduands and called for improved education infrastructure as a means to develop the country.
“Let me congratulate the graduating students, their parents and guardians on this epic day of their lives. I also want to congratulate those who have been honored today. They are great patriots who have contributed in no small measure to nation building,” Uti Agba said.
He continued: “My philosophy for this great institution therefore is simply this: To dare to aspire to achieve phenomenal growth for a State university so that it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with any other Nigerian University, ranking among the best.
“This can be achieved when all concerned contribute their individual quota to meet the myriad of parameters set forth by the National Universities Commission as indices for assessment.
“Therefore, I look forward to cooperation among all the stakeholders, from the government, the governing council, management, staff and students to galvanize the University to an unrivalled height.”
He described the institution as a good investment hub and pointed out that life long legacies will be earned for those who invest in lecture theaters, laboratories, workshops amongst others.
Among those to be honored is the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and the National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ahmed Markarfi.
This had taken staff aback as Dickson and Amaechi’s awards run contrary to the Keffi declaration since they are serving public officers.
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