Newly appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Prof. Stephen Sinikiem Azaiki, has pledged to leverage his extensive local and international networks to attract strategic partnerships, research collaborations and investment opportunities aimed at accelerating the institution’s growth and global competitiveness.
Azaiki made the commitment while formally accepting his appointment as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Third Governing Council of the university for a four-year tenure.
In a letter addressed to the Founder and Visitor of Ritman University, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, the former Niger Delta University Pro-Chancellor described the appointment as both an honour and a call to service.
He expressed gratitude to the university’s leadership for the confidence reposed in him and affirmed his commitment to advancing the institution’s strategic vision of academic excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship and societal transformation.
“I accept this appointment with humility, a profound sense of responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of the University,” he stated.
Azaiki noted that Ritman University’s vision of producing scholars and leaders capable of solving societal problems aligns closely with his personal convictions and lifelong dedication to education, leadership development, research, innovation and community advancement.
The distinguished academic and development advocate highlighted his experience as a university administrator, public servant, legislator and institution builder, saying those experiences have reinforced his belief that universities must serve as engines of national development and social transformation.
He identified innovation, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, practical learning and character development as key areas that make Ritman University uniquely positioned to contribute to Nigeria’s human capital development and knowledge-driven economy.
According to him, his tenure will focus on strengthening institutional governance, enhancing academic quality, promoting research excellence, improving resource mobilisation and increasing the university’s visibility both within Nigeria and internationally.
The new Pro-Chancellor also promised to work closely with the university’s Board of Trustees, Governing Council, management, staff, students, alumni and other stakeholders to consolidate existing achievements and advance the institution’s strategic aspirations.
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Azaiki further disclosed that he would deploy his extensive international contacts across academia, government, development institutions, diplomatic circles, professional bodies and the private sector to facilitate partnerships capable of delivering capacity-building opportunities, endowment initiatives and investment inflows to the university.
He noted that his engagements in more than 80 countries and participation in various international educational and development platforms would be placed at the service of the institution whenever beneficial opportunities arise.
Describing the appointment as a responsibility of stewardship, he pledged to discharge the duties of office with integrity, transparency, diligence and fairness.
He added that his ultimate goal is to help position Ritman University as a stronger centre of academic excellence, innovation, leadership development and societal impact.
The appointment is expected to further strengthen the university’s drive towards expanding its academic influence, improving institutional governance and enhancing its contribution to national development through quality higher education.This version reads like a professional newspaper report and derives its news angle from the acceptance letter itself rather than merely announcing the appointment.
