Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has pledged to construct a five-kilometre internal road network and perimeter fencing at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) as the institution graduated 22,961 students at its 31st and 32nd combined convocation ceremony.
The graduands received degrees for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions at the ceremony held on Saturday.
Eno, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, said the state government’s intervention was informed by the university’s strategic importance to Akwa Ibom, particularly the large number of indigenes enrolled in the federal institution.
He said the proposed perimeter fencing would strengthen security on campus, while the five-kilometre internal road network would improve access and movement within the university.
The governor assured the institution of sustained support from his administration, stressing that its federal ownership would not prevent the state from contributing to its development.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to human capital development, describing education as a major pillar of the ARISE Agenda.
Eno also announced an increase in the annual bursary for Akwa Ibom students in tertiary institutions, raising the existing N50,000 payment to N200,000 for general disciplines and N250,000 for professional courses, including Law, Medicine and Engineering, effective next year.
The governor further disclosed that 73,532 students in tertiary institutions across the state had received N5.6 billion under the Federal Government’s student support intervention.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for the intervention, describing it as a significant investment in the future of Nigerian youths.
Congratulating the graduands, Eno urged them to deploy their academic qualifications towards entrepreneurship, innovation and community development rather than depend solely on paid employment.
He also praised the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christopher Ekong, for his efforts to reposition the university, noting that some members of his administration were among those who graduated at the ceremony.
Earlier, Ekong said his first 100 days in office had focused on reforms aimed at restoring academic excellence and positioning UNIUYO among Nigeria’s leading universities.
He thanked President Tinubu for his appointment and Senate President Godswill Akpabio for his support, while acknowledging Governor Eno’s contributions to the development of the institution.
The Chancellor, Emir of Hadejia, HRH Alhaji (Dr) Abubakar Adamu Maje, and the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Muiz Banire, SAN, also delivered goodwill messages at the ceremony attended by parents, traditional rulers and government officials.
