Research Institute honours Gov Otu’s Chief of Staff, wife Virginia Ironbar, NUJ Chairman, others at maiden graduation/induction ceremony
By Kelvin Obambon
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – Research Gateway Professional Institute (RGP) has conferred awards of honour on eminent personalities at its maiden graduation and induction ceremony held last Friday in Calabar, Cross River State capital.
Among the honorees were the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar; his wife, Dr Virginia Ironbar; Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey; Special Assistant to the Governor, Hon. Dunamis Archibong, and several others, who have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions.
Chief Executive Officer of Research Gateway Professional Institute, Rev. (Dr.) ThankGod Onda, said the RGP is committed to human capacity development, aligning with the ‘People First’ mantra of the Prince Bassey Otu-led administration. He said the awardees were selected because they have distinguished themselves in their fields of endeavour, adding that to encourage them, the Institute found them worthy of the honour.
Registrar of the Institute, Prof. Bassey Oben, said Research Gateway Professional Institute, established in 2020/2021, is the only internationally accredited and licensed body of its kind in Cross River State. He said the school is currently in affiliation with the Cross River State College of Health Technology, Calabar.
According to him, the institute runs Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes and offers certifications in vocational, entrepreneurial, and technical fields in collaboration with a consortium of 12 global universities.
“Our training and certifications, including in health, safety, and environment (HSE), geriatric care, and corporate mediation, are verifiable globally through secure digital barcodes. We’ve trained over 3,500 individuals in five years, with a focus on youth, women, and vulnerable populations,” he said.
Honourable Ironbar who bagged the Doctoral, Professional fellows and ambassador of RGP, was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Ben Okache. Also, the NUJ Chairman, represented by Dr Efio-Ita Nyok, was honoured with the Professional Fellow award, while Dr Virginia Ironbar, who bagged Professional Fellow, was represented by Kelvin Enyam, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs.
Responding separately, the awardees thanked the institute for finding them worthy of the award and pledged to continue rendering selfless service to society and humanity at large.
The event saw the graduation of 93 students from various departments, including Geriatric Care.