Governor of Cross Rivers State in Nigeria Commends Students at BYU-Pathway Worldwide Completion Ceremony in Calabar

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On 18 November 2023, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, commended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for expanding the frontiers of education in the State, as 89 students who had completed their online studies, were presented with certificates of completion from the PathwayConnect program. The completion ceremony was held at the Calabar Nigeria North Stake Center.

Governor Otu noted that,” the transformative power of education is a beacon of enlightenment in fostering intellectual growth and nurturing character.  This program provides a platform for academic excellence and contributes significantly to the socio-economic progress of the Cross River State.”

The Governor was represented by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem.  He noted that BYU-Pathway Worldwide had been providing educational services to Nigerians since 2009 and that currently over 6,500 students are enrolled throughout the country. 

“Education is not merely the accumulation of facts, it is a journey of self-discovery, character development and the acquisition of values essential for the survival of individuals and societies,” said Ayambem. “Today, as we witness the culmination of the effort of these graduate students, we are reminded of the profound impact that education has in shaping the destiny of a people.”

Ayambem charged the students to remember the values instilled in them through this program, “paving the way for your journey ahead, to boom with success, fulfillment, realization of your potential, and commitment to the betterment of the Cross River State.”

Addressing the students, International Area Manager for BYU-Pathway Worldwide, Dr. Victor Ukorebi, charged the students to, “inculcate in themselves the values of their course completion and to be the agents for the change desired by the Nigerian society.”

Citing Joshua 1:5-9, Dr Ukorebi encouraged the graduating students to maintain the values they had learned and become agents of change in their lives, the lives of their families, and the nation.

President Akwaowo Joseph Ekong, President Calabar North Stake who presided at the ceremony acknowledged the benefits of the program and noted that with their graduation, the students had increased in learning and were better prepared to add value to self, family, and society.

The PathwayConnect students were presented with their course completion certificates and a special gift presentation was made to the Cross River State Government and representative of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar.

Preceding the ceremony, Courtesy visits were paid to the Secretary to the State Government and the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly.  A Devotional was held the day before the Graduation ceremony.