UNICAL@50: Betta Edu, Senate President, Reps Deputy Speaker, C’River Gov. honored and inducted as Grand Ambassadors of University of Calabar
By Yahaya Idris, Calabar
The University of Calabar celebrated its 50th anniversary by honoring several notable Nigerians. Honorees included Dr. Betta Edu, immediate former Minister of Humanitarian, Commissioner for Health and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Woman Leader; Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Nigerian Senate; Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; and Senator Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross River State.
These individuals were recognized for their contributions to society and inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame during the event
The leaders were bestowed with the esteemed Grand Ambassadors and Legacy Face of the University awards. Moreover, they were permanently inducted into the University Hall of Fame.
Speaking after receiving the award, Dr. Betta Edu expressed gratitude to the University of Calabar’s management for the recognition, describing it as an “incredible honour and a great honour”
Dr. Betta Edu, a former Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, expressed profound gratitude to the University of Calabar after being inducted into its Hall of Fame during its 50th anniversary celebration.
She acknowledged the university’s role in shaping her leadership skills and pledged to remain a good ambassador.
Edu also announced her class’s contribution of N15 million towards completing and equipping the university’s medical center, emphasizing her commitment to humanitarian service
Edu, paid tribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and fatherly guidance.
She assured Nigerians, particularly in the education sector, that there is hope under Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” urging them to trust the process and remain patient. Edu emphasized her commitment to being a good ambassador of the university and highlighted her contributions towards national development.
Her words: “Thank you to the University’s esteemed Management and staff for this incredible honour. I am truly humbled to receive this award, and I am grateful for the recognition in the hall of fame.
“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to my golden Vice Chancellor and her team , the Student Union Government and my lecturers who have always supported me throughout my journey, and built leadership foundation for my public service.
“I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude and joy,this award is not just a recognition of my own efforts, but also a testament to the fact that more responsibilities have been given to me with far reaching impact in Nigeria and the globe.
Dr. Betta Edu, equally paid special tribute to the institution, describing it as “my very powerful University that actually built the leadership skills in me.” She expressed profound gratitude for the role UNICAL played in shaping her journey and pledged to remain a proud ambassador of the university.
“To support the school’s infrastructural projects, Edu announced that “the Class 2009 of the Medical school will be contributing to the completion and equipping of the new medical center for University of Calabar and we will be doing that by supporting initially with N15 million Naira.They have asked me to make this pledge on their behalf.
In her welcome address, Vice-Chancellor Professor Florence Obi, reflected on the institution’s journey from its origins as a campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to becoming a full-fledged university in 1975.
She described the milestone as “50 years of resilience, 50 years of impactful knowledge and service to humanity,” emphasizing the university’s dedication to academic excellence and societal development
Prof. Obi expressed pride in the institution’s distinguished alumni. She highlighted notable figures, including the Senate President, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cross River State Governor, and Deputy Governor, as well as Dr. Betta Edu. Prof.
Obi praised Dr. Edu, referring to her as “my daughter,” for consistently making the university proud and serving as an exemplary ambassador.
Global Times Nigeria reports that Dr. Betta Edu, a former Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, served from December 2019 to March 2022.
During her tenure, she significantly transformed the healthcare system by implementing policies that promoted universal health coverage and improved primary healthcare services.
She was instrumental in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in Cross River State and established the state’s health insurance scheme, which covered over 80,000 residents.
Edu also held other key roles, including being the Chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum and later became the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2024
