The University of Calabar, Cross River State, on Monday, decorated the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, as an Ambassador of the institution.
According to a press release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu, dated January 20, 2025, the decoration was done when a delegation from the University led by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Florence Obi and the Provost, Post Graduate School of the University, Professor Enyong Ubana paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Speaker in his office in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Kalu stated that the university of Calabar instilled virtues of hardwork, competition and patriotism in him, adding that the institution moulded his character to contribute to nation building.
The release quotes the Deputy Speaker as saying, “As Deputy Speaker, I recognize the critical role that education plays in shaping the future of our nation. I’m dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote access to quality education, and I believe that Unical is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in this effort.
“I’m proud to have been shaped by this institution and I’m committed to continue to partner with Unical to advance the cause of education in Nigeria like my favorite Vice Chancellor, favorite in the sense that only few women occupy this position in Nigeria, said. I’m a he for she and I like to see women get involved in leadership positions.
“We were taught to be the best, competitive in everything, give it all the energy it requires. We were taught to avoid corruption and that we’ve brought into leadership.
“We were taught to be patriotic, to be proud Nigerians. Today in the National Assembly, we are pushing. Whatever we earned in Unical was through hardwork and that spirit we’ve carried into our work place. I ‘m proud of my University. I’m grateful for the transformative impact Unical has had on my life.”
“We believe in what you’re doing and I want to thank you for giving me the role to be the Ambassador which I accept with my whole heart and also choosing me speak at the event of the convocation as well as the anniversary.
“I look forward to exploring ways through which we can work together to build a brighter future for our nation. Convey my warmest regards to the university community and let them know that we are all working together to improve the lives of those young ones who come to study. We are standing by them and will always stand by them”, Kalu said.
The delegation had visited the Deputy Speaker to intimate him about their upcoming 50th anniversary/convocation lecture, and to convey the decision of the organising committee to make him the guest lecturer.