ERSTWHILE GOVERNING COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, SIR DAN ABIA, CONGRATULATES PROF. PHILIP AFAHA ON APPOINTMENT AS PIONEER VICE CHANCELLOR

ERSTWHILE GOVERNING COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, SIR DAN ABIA, CONGRATULATES PROF. PHILIP AFAHA ON APPOINTMENT AS PIONEER VICE CHANCELLOR

…Hails Governor Umo Eno for Merit-Based Appointment

By Prince John Ekpo LSF

Former Chairman of the Governing Council of the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit, Mkpisong Sir (Hon.) Bassey Dan Abia, KJW, has felicitated Professor Philip Uso Afaha on his appointment as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit.

Sir Abia, a former Member of the House of Representatives and erstwhile Chairman of the Governing Council of the then Akwa Ibom State College of Education, described the appointment as a square peg in a square hole.

In a congratulatory statement issued in Uyo on Monday, he commended the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Ph.D., for his visionary leadership and commitment to excellence in the education sector.

“On behalf of my family and the good people of Esit Eket, I heartily congratulate Prof. Philip Uso Afaha on his well-deserved appointment. This is a decision that speaks volumes of the Governor’s penchant for merit and quality,” Abia stated.

He noted that Prof. Afaha’s pedigree as a seasoned academic and administrator makes him the ideal person to lay the foundation for the new university.

“Prof. Afaha is a distinguished scholar and a tested administrator. He is a man who leaves no stone unturned in the pursuit of academic excellence. I am confident that under his leadership, the University of Education will become a centre of excellence for teacher education in Nigeria,” he said.

The former federal lawmaker charged the new Vice Chancellor to bring his wealth of experience to bear in running an inclusive administration that will promote productivity, encourage research and learning, and attract meaningful development to the institution.

BRIEF CITATION OF PROF. PHILIP AFAHA

Professor Philip Uso Afaha, a native of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, is a renowned Professor of History. Until his appointment, he was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Abuja, where he served with distinction.

With over two decades of university teaching and administration, he has held several strategic positions including Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, and Director of Academic Planning. He is a prolific researcher with several books and over 60 scholarly publications in reputable journals.

His appointment was announced on Monday, 5th October 2026, by Governor Pastor Umo Eno at the Uyo Township Stadium during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day Celebration.

Mkpisong Dan Abia assured the pioneer Vice Chancellor of his continuous support and prayed for a successful tenure that will bring pride to the state’s university of Education.