Rev. Fr. Chris Okon, the principal of St. Patrick’s College, Ikot Ansa, Calabar, Cross River State, one of the oldest Catholic colleges east of the Niger and one of the most famous educational institutions in Cross River State, has revealed that he is a proud alumnus of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
Okon made the revelation when he received the advocacy team of the Calabar Study Centre, NOUN, Calabar, Cross River State, led by the director of the centre, Prof. Onyeka Iwuchukwu, on Monday, March 7, 2022 in his office at the college.
The Roman Catholic priest, who gave high commendation to the West Africa’s foremost Open and Distance Learning (ODL) university and its mode of educational delivery, said he was very delighted when he received the letter of notification of the visit.
Okon, who pledged to encourage more of his staff to avail themselves of the opportunity that NOUN offers to enhance their knowledge, qualifications and personal development, explained that many of his staff have graduated from the Calabar centre of NOUN while others were still undergoing their various programmes at the centre.
Iwuchukwu, who made a presentation on NOUN, its programmes, mode of study and peculiarities, intoned the school anthem, with a sense of nostalgia, as the students of the college made an electrifying rendition of the school anthem
She later explained that she attended St. Patrick’s Primary School, Awka, Anambra State, herself.
The centre director expressed surprise at seeing students throng the auditorium, as she and her team were led in by Okon and his educational activities coordinator, Dr. Tessy Bisong.
On this, Okon explained that he deliberately invited Senior Secondary 1 and 2 of the college to be part of the audience to help spread the news of the visit of NOUN or even avail themselves of the learning opportunities the university offers.
The event ended with the staff of the college clustering around the NOUN delegation for further enquiries and clarifications.
