The authorities of the University of Port Harcourt, Choba,  Rivers State, have described the contributions made by   foremost political scientist, Prof Eme Ekekwe to the development of the institution while in service as uncommon .
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Ndowa  E.S Lale stated this during a sendforth ceremony organised by the Department of Political  and Administrative Studies  in the Faculty of Social Sciences in honour of Prof Eme Ekekwe ,who retired from the service of the university.
The Vice Chancellor who was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof Akin Fahwemi   described him as   an erudite scholar who contributed to the development of the Department of Political and Administrative Studies, Faculty of Social Science and the university at large, adding that the university community will miss his services
The vice chancellor while wishing him well on his retirement said the various landmark achievements and legacies of the retired professor will be sustained
Also speaking, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Prince Mmom described the retired political scientist as a man with many parts who had mentored many scholars, both within  and outside the country.
In his own contribution, the Acting Head of Department, Political and Administrative Studies, Dr Timothy Nte described Prof Ekekwe as a honest and transparent teacher who distinguished himself in his academic carrier
He disclosed that the retired professor was a mentor who exhibited humility through out his years of servic, adding that he  was never after wealth.
He urged lecturers and leaders across the country to emulate the leadership style of the academic and impact meaningfully on the society
Earlier in his opening speech, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof Kimse Okoko urged the retiree  to see retirement as a blessing and not  a punishment
Prof Okoko while congratulating Prof Ekekwe on his retirement used the occasion to recall how he was instrumental to his appointment into the university
On his part, Prof Eme Ekekwe ,a professor of Political Science and Administrative Studies thanked those who attended the occasion for honouring him
The climax of the event was the review of a book, a collection of essays written by students of the retired Professor “The State, Politics and Development”, by Dr Kudo Eresia Eke.