Ekuwem: Akwa Ibom SSG pays tribute to Alma Mater
The Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, an alumnus of the University of Ife, now known as Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has paid glowing tribute to his alma mater for inculcating in him knowledge and patriotism towards his services to his father’s land in particular and Africa in general.
Dr Ekuwem stated this at the weekend when he received Members of the National Executive Council of the Alumni of OAU under the aegis of Great Ife Alumni Association,
led by the National President, Engr. Wale Olaleye,
on a courtesy visit to him in his office, at the Government House Complex, Uyo.
“For me as Emmanuel Effiong Ekuwem,I discovered my blackness, intellectual self, humanity and the totality of myself as homo sapien when I was in the University of Ife and I can never forget that.I have learnt a lot in Ife.Ife gave you knowledge, patriotism and impatience to change things for the better,”he stated.
Dr Ekuwem, who recalled with nostalgia his days in the institution, assured his fellow Alumni of the support of the Udom Emmanuel-led Administration to the National body and the State branch in their quest for more development in the University and the State branch of the association.
According to him,the University has produced renowned personalities in the country and abroad, noting that the institution was the first premier University in West Africa to have a broadband internet access.
Describing OAU as a pride of Africa, the SSG enjoined the university’s alumni to continue to be good ambassadors of their Alma mater by contributing to the development of the institution, adding that the institution has inculcated in its products to continue to be conscious and proud of themselves as black.
The former National President, National Association of Cross River State Students (NACRISS), said it was a huge privilege for the Alumni to have graduated from the institution and thanked them for the honour done him by the visit.
Earlier, the National President of Great Ife Alumni Association, Engr. Wale Olaleye thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for finding Dr Ekuwem, whom he described as a sound and worthy alumnus of the institution and many other Ife’s products, worthy to be part of the success story of his administration and commended the governor for many developmental strides in the state.
Olaleye said they were in the SSG’S office to intimate him of the inauguration of the State branch and the foundation laying ceremony of the branch’s secretariat of the Association in the state.
Present at the visit were the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of Great Ife Alumni Association,Engr.J.B.Effiong and the Secretary,Engr.Macpherson Okonna, among others.
