NDDC chairman seeks increased funding of tertiary institutions

• Auchi poly alumni donates studio to school

CHAIRMAN, Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-egba, has canvassed adequate funding of tertiary education in the country.

He made the call at the weekend during the 31st convocation of the University of Calabar, (UNICAL).

At the event, Ndoma-egba was conferred with Doctor of Laws, (Honoris Causa) alongside the Emir of Borgu kingdom in Niger State, Muhammad Sani Haliru Kitoro.

While Kitoro was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration, the late Michael Archibong was honored with a posthumous honorary doctorate degree.

According to him, funding of universities had consistently fallen short of the 26 per cent of the country’s total budget.

This, he, said is contrary to the recommendation by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu disclosed that the awardees were selected based on their positive contributions to the society and support for academic excellence both in UNICAL and the country at large.

About 11, 807 students passed out in various fields, with 42 of them emerging with first class.

A breakdown shows that 7,957 earned first degrees, 1,624 diplomas and 2,226 post-graduate degrees.

Meanwhile, the Auchi Polytechnic Alumni Association (APAA) has donated engineering drawing studio to the school.

The studio was inaugurated by the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Haliru Momoh, Ikelebe III at the polytechnic campus.

Momoh said: “The spirits of togetherness and promptness in responding to some of the school’s challenges have indeed showed the alumni’s concern for the development of the institution.