UNICAl to Honour Governor Otu with Honorary PhD on its 50th Anniversary

Admin February 08, 2025


 The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has announced that Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) as part of its 50th-anniversary celebrations on March 23, 2025.  


The announcement was made by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, during a courtesy visit to the governor on Friday. She also revealed that Governor Otu is the first indigenous alumnus of UNICAL to become Governor of Cross River State.  


During the visit, Prof. Obi conferred the title of University Ambassador on Governor Otu, recognizing his significant contributions to the institution and the state.  


Governor Otu, a 1984 graduate of UNICAL, expressed gratitude for the honor and reflected on the university’s growth over the years.  


“To think that UNICAL will be celebrating 50 years in March nearly took me aback. I left the school in 1984, and when I see the number of years that have passed, I realize how much the university has grown. It is truly worth celebrating,” Otu said.  


He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the university, promising to collaborate closely to ensure its continued development.  


“As a government, I don’t think there’s anything you call on us to do that we won’t show up for. We will always make sure that we have the best university,” he stated.  


The 50th-anniversary celebrations will include a keynote lecture by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on March 20, followed by a fundraising and awards night. The event will culminate in the conferment of honorary degrees on distinguished alumni, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and Supreme Court Justice Emmanuel Agim.  


Prof. Obi praised Governor Otu’s leadership, noting his transformative impact on Cross River State.  


“Your Excellency, you are the first indigenous governor of Cross River State who is an alumnus of this university, and we are incredibly proud of you. This is just your second year in office, yet your impact is already visible. We are confident that by the time you are done, the state will be completely transformed,” she said.