A/Ibom Community Applauds Tinubu, Akpabio, Eno Over Indigenous Varsity VC Appointment

Prof. Joseph Essien

The people of Ikot Esenam Community in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Professor Joseph Essien as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology (FUATECH), Obio Akpa.
Describing the appointment as a historic milestone for the community, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, and Akwa Ibom State as a whole, the people said the development has brought renewed hope, pride, and confidence in the future of education and socio-economic development in the state.
In a press statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Village Council, Professor Francis Udoudoh, and the Secretary, Mr Dominic Utin, the community noted that Professor Essien’s appointment reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to merit, competence, and the advancement of tertiary education in Nigeria.
The statement further stated that the news of the appointment was received with immense joy and gratitude across the community, adding that the President’s decision to entrust Professor Essien with the responsibility of leading the newly established university demonstrates confidence in academic excellence, visionary leadership, and professional distinction.
According to the community, the appointment is not only a personal honour to Professor Essien and his family but also a landmark achievement for Ikot Esenam and the entire Oruk Anam Local Government Area.
The community also expressed special appreciation to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for what it described as his unwavering commitment to the growth and development of Akwa Ibom State.
According to the statement, Senator Akpabio has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership by attracting federal institutions, projects, and opportunities to the state, thereby contributing significantly to its development.
The community further acknowledged the Senate President’s contributions toward the realization of the appointment, describing his role as invaluable and worthy of commendation.
Similarly, the people commended Governor Umo Eno for his goodwill, support, and tireless efforts toward the establishment of the new university.
They noted that the governor’s approval of the Obio Akpa Campus of Akwa Ibom State University as both the take-off and permanent site of FUATECH underscores his administration’s commitment to educational advancement and its determination to create opportunities that will improve the lives of citizens across the state.
To the community, Professor Essien’s appointment represents far more than the emergence of a Vice-Chancellor.
“It marks the beginning of a new era of educational advancement, agricultural innovation, research excellence, and technological development,” the statement said.
While expressing confidence that the Vice-Chancellor possesses the experience, administrative competence, academic pedigree, and leadership capacity required to lay a solid institutional and infrastructural foundation for the university, the community also expressed optimism that the institution would evolve into a centre of excellence capable of producing graduates equipped to address contemporary challenges in agriculture, science, technology, and national development.
As goodwill messages continue to pour in from within and outside the state, the community reaffirmed its appreciation to President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governor Umo Eno, and all stakeholders whose support, advocacy, and commitment contributed to what it described as a landmark appointment.
Before his appointment, Professor Essien, a distinguished Professor of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), built an outstanding career that combined scholarship, research, and institutional leadership.
Since attaining the rank of Professor in 2010, he has served in several strategic capacities, including Head of the Department of Microbiology, Vice-Dean, Dean of the Faculty of Science, and Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences.
As Senior Research Scientist at the International Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Research (ICEESR), University of Uyo, he demonstrated an exceptional capacity to lead institutions, shape policy directions, and mentor emerging scholars.
Through these various leadership positions, Professor Essien championed academic excellence, strengthened institutional research capacity, promoted innovation-driven scholarship, and contributed significantly to the advancement of science education and sustainable development in Nigeria.
His appointment as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of FUATECH is widely regarded as a recognition of his decades of academic accomplishment, administrative experience, and unwavering commitment to higher education, research, and national development.