Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio has been installed the pioneer Chancellor of Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene.

Speaking after the installation ceremony, Akpabio thanked the Chairman and Governing Council of the University for honouring him.

The governor assured that he would use his contact as the pioneer Chancellor to attract lots of goodwill to the university to make it one of the best private universities in the country.

He said the establishment of the university has invariably placed the host community, Ikot Abia Idem on the world map, and urged the people of the state to take the advantage offered by the institution to develop themselves.

The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, congratulated the university for obtaining the licence to operate as the 58th private university in the country.

Professor Okojie, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary, NUC, Professor Chiedu F. Mafiana, advised the university not to price itself out of the market.

Professor Okojie said as one of the 61 private universities in the country, Ritman University should brand itself with quality academics and ensure strict adherence with the NUC guidelines.

The Chairman of the occasion, Senator Anietie Okon, applauded the university management, noting that it would go on record in the annals of the state as one of the private institutions that has risen academically.

The founder of the university, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien expressed appreciation to all the dignitaries that graced the occasion and also thanked Governor Akpabio for his contribution to education.

Senator Ibok Essien who thanked the Federal Executive Council for granting the approval for the establishment of the University said the institution would open its doors to students on October 2015 in three faculties with 14 departments as approved by NUC.

•Photo shows Akpabio