BREAKING : Unical VC bags second chieftaincy title in ten days

Prof. Akpagu receiving staff of office

Barely ten days after the Apokip community conferred a chieftaincy on the Vice chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu, the cerebral academic has again been honoured by another community in Obudu Local Government Area.

At a colourful ceremony held in the Civic Centre in the area on Saturday, September 29, 2018, the Kakum community conferred on Prof. Akpagu the traditional chieftaincy title of USHIIGIEKUSHU I of Kakum.

Performing the chieftaincy investure before a mammoth crowd, the Clan Head of Kakum, HRH Utsu Joseph Itiunbe Akpagu, said as the USHIGIEKUSHU I of Kakum, Prof. Zana Akpagu has been admitted into the traditional Rulers' Council of Kakum Community as a member and was entitled to join them in Council whenever he visited home.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Kakum Development Association, Mr. Lawrence Aniah, explained that the people of Kakum singled out the Vice-chancellor for special recognition in view of his "superlative performance" at the University of Calabar.

Mr. Aniah said "it is in the public domain that Prof. Zana Akpagu has demonstrated capacity as an iconic University Administrator and a social mobilizer whose generosity knew no bounds".

Responding, the Vice-chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu said he was overwhelmed by the encomiums poured on him by the people of Kakum as symbolized by the conferment of a chieftaincy title and the various glowing tributes and gift items presented to him.

He expressed appreciation to the Kakum people for the honour and promised to live up to their expectations.

Prof. Akpagu promised that he will do all that is possible within the limits of his office to assist them in areas of admission, church expansion and other community projects.

Other distinguished Kakum sons who were also honoured include Brig. Gen. John Agim, Director, Defence Information, Nigeria Army,  Hon Justice Emmanuel Ayade, Prof. John Undie and Hon. Emmanuel Ugbe, former Chairman, Obudu LGA.

Posthumous awards were given to late Chief John Ugbe and late Ukandi Damian Atuaka for their contributions to the development of Kakum community.

The occasion which was preceded by a Roman Catholic Mass featured traditional dances and displays as well as presentation of commemorative plagues and gift items to the award recipients.