Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed profound appreciation after being awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), describing the recognition as a “great honour.”
The former governor of Rivers State was among a select group of distinguished Nigerians conferred with honorary degrees during the university’s 35th convocation ceremony held on Saturday.
Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Wike said, “I feel so honoured. To be recognised by an institution like UNIPORT, located right here in the Niger Delta where I have spent much of my political and legal career, is both humbling and inspiring.”
He commended the university’s leadership and academic community for their role in nurturing excellence, innovation, and national development, emphasizing the importance of strengthening educational institutions across Nigeria.
“This award is not just for me, but for every Nigerian who believes in public service, in accountability, and in the power of education to transform lives,” Wike added.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Owunari Georgewill, noted that the honorary degrees were awarded based on exceptional contributions to national development, leadership, and support for the educational sector.
Wike, who holds a law degree from Rivers State University, has been a long-time political figure in Nigeria. He served as Minister of State for Education before becoming Governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023. In 2024, he was appointed Minister of the FCT by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, faculty members, students, and traditional rulers, who lauded Wike’s contributions to governance and his support for infrastructural
source: thesun.ng
