By Kingston Obung Calabar–
Governing Council of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has concluded arrangement to confer honorary doctorate degree of science on the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, on October 20, 2017.
Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Dr Aboke Zhana, who disclosed this in Calabar yesterday during a courtesy visit to the monarch, said the Obong would also be offi cially installed as the Chancellor of the institution.
He said: “Th e purpose of our visit is to inform the Obong of his official installation as the Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
As the person at the helm of affairs, we will also honour the Obong with Doctor of Science degree on Agriculture.
This is the highest degree we could give to anybody in the university. We feel that he deserves that honour.
He is the overall boss and for him to operate more efficiently, he would have to be so honoured.
” Zhana said with the installation of the Calabar monarch, the institution would regain its lost glory and become what it should be and that the leadership of the institution would be opened to advice from the Monarch, who he described as “a father.
” In his response, the Obong pledged his resolve to ensure remarkable changes and appealed to management of the institution to join hands with him to ensure things were put in place.
“I will not betray this show of confidence the federal government, the leadership of the institution and the general public have shown on me.
I see this as great opportunity to work with the Governing Council of the institution to ensure remarkable changes.
“Let me use this opportunity to commend Dr Zhana and his team for doing a good work in FUNAAB.
The appointment of Prof Felix Salaka as Vice Chancellor designate is commendable because Salaka, who I call my son, deserves it.
“I appeal to you, Chairman and members of the Governing Council and the leadership of the institution to work together.
I am convinced that Dr Salaka and his team will make us proud.
We have been speaking about diversification of the economy from oil to agriculture; we shall work to ensure this is done with FUNAAB at the forefront.
We shall speak agriculture, promote agriculture and encourage Nigerians to go into agriculture,” he said.
