The former Military Governor of Rivers State, Brigadier General Anthony Ukpo, has been conferred with “Honoris Causa” doctorate degree by the University of Calabar, UNICAL, as 22 students bag First Class degrees.
The honour which was done on Ukpo during the 30th convocation ceremony of the citadel of knowledge was in recognition of his immense contribution to humanity and impact of his socio-economic development in the country.
His citation at the ceremony reads in part, “Gen Ukpo is indeed a great man to be honoured– a man whose life of systematic operationalisation, military rationalisation, social equalisation and economic pragmatism has endowed him with an iconic halo, A man who wishes to be remembered for trying to do good.
“For his frenetic and altruistic service to humanity; significant contribution to the elevation of the academic and political status of the University; his sacrificial efforts toward the socio-economic development of the state/nation – a gentleman of the sublimest ingredients: modest, honest, earnest, zesty, feisty, gentle, sensible, humble, nimble,, audible, cherishable, citable, commendable – intelligent, luminescent.
“Stephen Anthony Ukpo (born 16 July 1947) was Minister of Information and Culture, and then Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria from August 1986 until July 1988 during the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.”
Other imminent personalities who also were honoured with “Honoris Causa” doctorate degree along with Gen Ukpo were Alhaji Ummarun Kwabo and Mr Daniel Chukwudozie for their contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, at the occasion maintained that his government was committed to development of the education sector through adequate funding in order to develop quality manpower for nation building.
Buhari who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Onwuka, congratulated all the graduating students for bagging their various degrees upon their successful completion of their study. He also charged them to be good ambassadors of the institution and Nigeria.
In a related development the Governor of Sokoto State, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, who was also one of the special guests made a donation of N30 million as his support for the university’s Medical Centre, which been under construction.
