The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree on the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, in recognition of his contributions to public service, governance, and state development.
The honorary award was presented on Saturday during the university’s 38th Convocation Ceremony held at the Godswill Akpabio Conference Center, University of Calabar. The event attracted dignitaries from academia, government, traditional institutions, and the private sector, reinforcing the institution’s tradition of honoring individuals whose work reflects its core values of scholarship, service, and societal impact.
In its citation, the university commended Governor Otu’s leadership, policy interventions, and commitment to infrastructure, education, and human capital development in Cross River State. The Governing Council stated that the honour acknowledges distinguished service and transformational leadership that advances the public good.
Responding after the conferment, Governor Otu thanked the University’s Governing Council, Senate, and Management for the recognition. He dedicated the honour to the people of Cross River State and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth, youth empowerment, and institutional strengthening. He further lauded UNICAL for maintaining academic excellence and producing graduates equipped to drive national development.
The conferment formed a key highlight of the 38th Convocation, which celebrated academic distinctions across faculties and reaffirmed the university’s position as a leading centre of learning in Nigeria’s South-South region.
