By George Ozalla
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Obio Akpa, in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Akpabio also thanked Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, for releasing the Obio Akpa campus of the Akwa Ibom State University to facilitate the take-off of the new institution.
He spoke on Friday at the funeral service held in honour of the late former Majority Leader of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. (Elder) Imo Akpan Ibokette, at the Abak International Nursery/Primary School in Abak Local Government Area of the state.
Akpabio, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, said he was looking forward to the admission of the first batch of students into the university, describing its establishment as a significant development for the senatorial district.
“I look forward to the admission of the first batch of the students into the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology in this Senatorial District. Let me thank President Bola Tinubu for signing the bill which established the university. Let me also thank our dear Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for releasing a campus of the Akwa Ibom State University for the commencement of academic activities this year,” he said.
The Senate President recalled that the late Ibokette was among the first people to contact him after the passage of the bill establishing the university, describing his death as a personal loss.
“Late Ibokette, whom we are laying to rest today, was the first to call and thank me on hearing of the passage of the bill establishing the university. His death is a personal loss to me. The Ibokette family and I share an intimate affinity that spans decades. Even the weight of political differences did not attenuate the relationship we shared. So, I personally mourn his demise,” Akpabio said.
The funeral service was conducted by the Apostolic Church Nigeria, with Akpabio describing the deceased former lawmaker as a patriot, selfless leader, loving father and hardworking personality who overcame several challenges to make meaningful contributions to his community and state.
He said Ibokette lived to witness some of the transformation he had worked and fought for, adding that the late lawmaker “did his best and witnessed the uncommon transformation which he fought and worked for before his departure.”
