… Urges Akpabio, Goje To Be Selfless

President Goodluck Jonathan has urged two governors to see their conferment with honorary doctorate degrees by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as a call to greater service to humanity.

The Governors are Chief Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and Alhaji Danjuma Goje of Gombe State.

Jonathan made the call in Nsukka in Enugu State on Saturday at the 39th convocation of the university.

No less than 1,457 persons bagged higher degrees and the conferment of honorary Doctorate of Law on Akpabio and honorary Doctor of Public Administration on Goje.

“I congratulate you and urge you to let this recognition of your personnel achievements inspire you to greater heights.

“Knowing that UNN for its attachment to strong moral character and integrity, I am sure that your selections for the conferment were made in absolute recognition of your personnel achievements in your fields of endeavour,” he said.

The president, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Raqayyatu Rufa’i, said that government was committed to improving the quality of education in the country.

He said that was why government had invested much money in the education sector.

“We know that without quality tertiary education, the nation’s quest for qualitative human capital development that is essential for achievement of the nation’s vision 20:2020 will be a mirage,” Jonathan added.

The president said the administration had demonstrated this commitment through injecting 150 million dollars and taking an International Development Association (IDA) credit from World Bank to Finance Science and Technology Post-Basic Project.

Jonathan advised the youth not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to cause violence during the 2011 general elections.

“I remind the youth of this country that they have a critical role to play in the 2011 general elections.

“My administration will leave no stone unturned in the effort to ensure free and fair elections,” he said.

In a remark, the Chancellor of UNN, Alhaji Shehu Idris, the Emir of Zazzau in Kaduna State, commended the vice chancellor and his management team for providing suitable academic environment for teaching, learning and research.