…real reasons for selection

As the University of Uyo wrapped up its 26th, 27th and 28th combined convocation ceremonies, three eminent Nigerians, Mr. Udom Inoyo, Mr. Vincent Enyeama and Sen.(Mrs.) Daisy Danjuma have been conferred with Doctorates (Honoris Causa).

The conferment on the trio happened Saturday, November 11, 2023 on the University’s main campus, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. This adds to the 14,866 total graduands who received various certificate categories (475 Doctoral degrees, 1,389 Master’s, 808 PGDs, 11,795 Bachelor’s, 318 Diplomas and 81 Certificates).

The Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo proclaimed the conferment of Doctor of Law on Udom Inoyo, Doctorate degree in Political Diplomacy on Daisy Danjuma and Doctor of Philosophy in Human Kinetics and Physical Education on Vincent Enyeama.

Udom Inoyo is a notable philanthropist, a global hydrocarbon industry administrator, a corporate boardroom maestro, a Fellow and former national President of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) in Nigeria, a former Chairman, External Affairs and Human Resources Committees of Nigeria’s Oil Producers Trade Sector, former Executive Director cum first Akwa Ibom born-Vice Chairman, ExxonMobil Companies in Nigeria, and Advisor, Inoyo Toro Foundation. The Political Science and Law graduate from the University of Calabar is an alumnus of Lagos Business School and Thunderbird School of Global Management, USA and hails from Ikot Okoro Ubium in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Vincent Enyeama, recently ranked the greatest African goalkeeper in history, hails from Effen Ibom in Ika LGA of Akwa Ibom State. He is an alumnus of University of Uyo who started his career with Uniuyo’s football team under the tutelage of his father, Mr. Philip Enyeama, who, incidentally, was a football coach in the University. Enyeama had played for Ibom Stars (1999-2000), Enyimba Football Club of Aba (2001 to 2004) where the team won the Nigerian Premier League in 2001, 2002, 2003 and CAF Champions League in 2003 and 2004, Iwuayanwu Nationale (2005-2007), Bnei Yehuda (2005-2007), Hapoel Tel Aviv (2007-2011) where the team won the Israeli Premier League in 2009-2010 and Israeli State Cup in 2010 and 2011, Lille (2011-2012), Maccabi Tel Aviv (2012-2013) where the team won Israeli Premier League in 2012-2013, and the Nigerian Super Eagles (2002-2015) where he captained from 2013-2015 and won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.

Sen. Daisy Ehanire Danjuma is a graduate of Law from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with more than 40 years of post-call experience. She is a former Company Secretary/Legal Adviser to Nigeria Television Authority (1982-1992), Chairman, South Atlantic Petroleum Limited (1999-2013), Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2003-2007), ECOWAS Parliamentarian and Chairman, ECOWAS Parliament Committee on Women and Child Right and sits on the board of multinational companies with special interest in oil and gas, manufacturing and properties. The 71 year old illustrious daughter of Edo State is wife of Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, a prominent philanthropist and women rights advocate.

Speaking on the modalities for the selection of the 3 eminent Nigerians, a Professor in the University and member of the Convocation subcommittee on Addresses and Awards who prefers not to be mentioned, explained that the selection was completely based on merit and devoid of biases and political sentiments. Members of the subcommittee were tasked to scout for, identify and nominate only three Nigerians of utmost integrity with significant and verifiable records of contributions to humanity.

The University, in a letter conveying reasons for the conferment on Inoyo, stated, “Your conferment is based on your track record of service to humanity, especially your credible contributions to the advancement of education in Nigeria and beyond”.

Presenting Dr. Udom Uko Inoyo to the audience, the University orator, Prof. Effiong Johnson, recounted some of his contributions to humanity to include facilitation of Inoyo Toro Foundation and Stanbic IBTC Bank $100,000 donation of Molecular PCR machine for testing and saving lives of Akwa Ibom State people during and after the COVID 19 pandemic, establishment of Inoyo Toro Foundation, through which over N600,000,000 of private funds have been invested in rewards to teachers, trainings for teachers, mentorships for students and infrastructure support to select secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State.

“In 2014, Udom was the Guest Speaker at the 19th/20th convocation of University of Uyo, following which, in 2015, he promoted the establishment of the International Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Research (ICEESR) at the University”, Professor Effiong Johnson continued.

Dr. Inoyo’s human capacity development initiatives included partnership with Royal Arts Academy to flag-off first ever film monotechnic in Akwa Ibom, promotion of innovative solutions via launch of first Akwa Ibom Technology Week, as well as instituting and sustaining the Ray Ekpu Annual Award for Investigative Journalism to promote quality journalism in the state.

The convocation was richly attended by representative of the Visitor to Uniuyo cum Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; representative of University’s Chancellor, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Adami Maje, CON; Akwa Ibom State’s Governor Umo Bassey Eno and team; Uniuyo’s Deputy Vice Chancellors, Vice Chancellors of other sister Universities in Nigeria, the management, staff, as well as the 475 PhD awardees and their guests.