Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has commended the University of Calabar for maintaining what he called high academic standard, and urged other universities in the country to emulate same.

The state governor made the commendation last week when the Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Rowland Ehigiamosu and members of the Governing Council of the institution paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo. The Governor attributed the high academic standard of the university to the stringent policies adopted by the school.

Chief Akpabio recalled that even when he sought admission in the university several years ago with his Higher School Certificate; he still had to pass through some tough measures, which according to him was aimed at sustaining the standard the school had set for itself.

The governor observed further, “The academic standard in the University of Calabar is different from other universities. Your standard is quite high and everybody knows that.”

Calling on the institution to keep the standard going, Chief Akpabio advised against cultism when he said, “Please keep the high standard going as much as possible, preach against cultism which is a menace now and encourage our children about reading culture.”

The governor however thanked the University for the recent award of honorary Doctor of Law degree on him during its last convocation ceremony, describing the occasion as a fantastic one, particularly as the people of the state turned out in their numbers to witness the award.

He also intimated that like UNICAL did, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has notified him of arrangements to confer on him another honorary degree of Doctor of Law. This, when completed, would bring to four the honorary degree so far bagged by the governor, having been awarded same by the University of Uyo, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and most recently the University of Calabar.

Speaking on behalf of the governing council of the University of Calabar, the Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Ehigiamosu appreciated Governor Akpabio for showing love and concern for his alma mater, noting that, “Of course, that is why we decided to honor him. It was a well deserved honor. He could reject it, but he accepted the honor.”

The Pro-Chancellor who was accompanied by members of the Governing Council of the institution including the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bassey Asuquo, and the Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Julia Omang, hinted thus, “Today, we have come here to present the certificate of the award given you and present our token of traditional gifts.”