By: Our Reporter, Calabar
An Obubra born Atmospheric Physicist/Energy research and sustainability advocate in the University of Cross River State, Prof Igwe Ewona, has described the giant strides of Obubra Council Chairman, Hon Kingsley Arikpo as a product of Cross fertilization of his leadership style and the “People’s First” mantra of the State Governor, His Excellency, Prince Bassey Edet Otu.
Ewona made the remarks when he visited the Chairman to notify him ahead of the global event of his public Lecture meant for academics who have excelled in their various fields of professionalism.
The event will be hosted by the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State, Professor Franciaca Bassey, where he would mount the podium for an Inaugural Lecture sometime in June.
The front line University Don who pioneered research framework that attracted over 150 research grants to the University, further extolled the virtues of the Council Chairman, for his unprecedented localization of projects and people oriented policies within his first five months in office as Chairman.
Ewona who is former Dean of the Faculty of Science applauded Hon Arikpo for the doggedness in his transformation agenda, resulting in the dramatic renewal of the dwindling economic fortunes that persisted prior to his time, particularly, the drastic transformation and face lift of Obubra junction, his deliberate will to restore the transportation sector by reviving OBUBRA LINKS, his special flare for rapid Infrastructural development, and passion for improved Security, Agriculture and Healthcare services.
Ewona also used the occasion to thank the Governor., Apostle Bassey Otu for his magnanimity and kind approval of ten kilometer roads network to immortalize the name of the one time Deputy Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Late Chief John Oyom Okpa, who was an illustrious son of Obubra.
Pledging his unflinching support, Ewona corroborated that the entire Obubra Local Government communities fall for Prince Bassey Otu, and will be willing to support his 2027 second term bid as Governor, due to his indelible footprints shown in less than two years in office.
Responding, the Council Chairman Hon Arikpo expressed appreciation for the visit of the University Teacher whom he described as a genius who has made far reaching contributions in community service, and extending the frontiers of teaching and learning world wide through research.
Arikpo thanked the Professor for declaring his heartfelt support for the Governor Prince Otu and and the Local Government Administration back home.
The Chairman, however, charged him to sustain the tempo in his academic prowess as he remains a true ambassador of the people of Obubra and Cross River State at large, in the world of the academia.
He also thanked him for finding quality time out of his busy schedules to have a chat with him.
