Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno has urged the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Chris Ekong, to be magnanimous in victory and focus on maintaining an excellent academic standard for the university.
The governor made the remark today, June 17, 2026, when he received the chairman of the university’s Governing Council, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), and members of the institution’s management team on a courtesy visit in his office, Government House, Uyo.
He advised him to draw a line from the past administration, focus on going forward, and resist the urge to probe, as such could derail him from his track.
The governor described the new vice chancellor as a square peg in a square hole, given he is an erudite scholar and has cognate experience in the public service.
He congratulated Prof. Ekong on his emergence, which he described as well-deserved, and expressed confidence in his capacity to deliver on the assignment.
“Let me again, on behalf of the government and people of Akwa Ibom State, congratulate you on this well-deserved appointment.
“You are carrying into your new role cognate experience garnered through your work in the public service, having once served as a member of the State Executive Council of this great state, and now at the apex of academic excellence and administration.
“We have implicit faith in your capacity to deliver big on your new assignment. You have all it takes to make the University of Uyo the Ivy League of the Nigerian public university system, and we are rooting for all the way,” he said.
He appreciated the visitor of the university, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for approving the appointment of Prof. Ekong as the 9th substantive vice chancellor of the university.
Governor Eno, who is an alumnus of the institution, also appreciated the minister of education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the immediate past acting vice chancellor, Prof. Samuel Adewumi, for seamlessly managing the process that led to the emergence of a substantive vice chancellor.
He reaffirmed that the state remains committed to investments in education, adding that his administration will continue to pay bursaries to support the students.
Governor Eno also assured the university management of his administration’s willingness to support and partner with the institution for the growth of the university and the general good of the state and beyond.
Presenting the new vice chancellor to the governor, the pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of the university, Dr. Banire (SAN), who thanked the governor for the warm reception accorded his team, described Prof. Ekong as not only an indigenous vice chancellor but also an experienced leader who has contributed his quota to the development of the state and is always ready to serve.
He thanked the governor for his numerous intervention projects within the university and applauded him for his giant strides and visionary and impactful leadership, which, according to him, has traversed all the local government areas in the state.
In his remark, Prof. Ekong appreciated the Governor for his continuous support to the university and assured that he will work hard to maintain the institution’s academic excellence and justify the confidence reposed in him.
On hand to receive the visitors were the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; the secretary to the state government, Prince Enobong Uwah; the head of civil service, Mrs. Elsie Peters; the executive assistant/chief delivery advisor to the governor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson; members of the State Executive Council; and other government officials.
