The latest ranking that places University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, South-South Region at the 16th position by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in the 2018 ranking among other universities in Nigeria is seen as the hand of God.
The university was established by the federal government of Nigeria as a federal university and the name was changed to the University of Uyo on October 1, 1991. It metamorphosed from defunct University of Cross River State which was established in 1983 by the then Cross River State government.
Professor Enefiok Essien, the university’s Vice Chancellor, broke the news that the university has moved seven positions from 22nd in 2017 to 16th this year in the latest NUC’s ranking.
Essien in his welcome address at the covenant renewal service held at the 1000 capacity auditorium of the university main campus on the theme “Hitherto Had the Lord helped us” said God has indeed kept His covenant with the university.
“It is only with the help of God that our University is today ranked 16th in the country. This means that God is with us and has kept our covenant with Him. Our students keep winning prizes and the staff are always winning awards,” he said.
According to him, “It is only through the instrumentality of God that funding that was the major problem has become a thing of the past and as the institution keeps faith with God, He would continue to bless its students and staff.’’
In his remarks, Mr. Aniediabasi Daniel Udofia, Registrar of the University, recalled the dark days of the university’s daunting challenges in terms of its inability to pay staff salaries and emoluments, noting that God has helped the institution through its dark days
Dr. Sylvanus Ukafia, guest speaker and senior pastor of Insight Bible Church, Uyo taking his reading from 1Samuel 7:1- , commended the management for appreciating God for His blessing upon the University.
Ukafia remarked “You should know that trouble has been with man right from the ancient days, and before we can call upon God to help we should always cleanse our hearts.
“There is no one besides God that can help us in our daily battle between the weak and the powerful, hence the need to always appreciate Him when He helps us.’’
Highlights of the service were the renewal of the covenant with God, and prayers for the students, the managements and staff as well for funding of the institution.
