Kalu’s doctoral research was also selected as one of the most outstanding thesis, earning a place at the University’s Achievement Exhibition on Contribution to Knowledge.
By Irene Offiong
Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has been conferred with a Doctor of Laws (PhD) by the University of Calabar during its 38th Convocation Ceremony.
Kalu’s doctoral research was also selected as one of the most outstanding thesis, earning a place at the University’s Achievement Exhibition on Contribution to Knowledge.
The feat achieved marked another significant academic and personal milestone as well as underscores the national relevance of his work.
Speaking on behalf of the 463 Ph.D graduates, Kalu reflected on the rigours and rewards of the doctoral journey, describing it as “demanding, humbling, and transformative.”
The deputy speaker, who quoted Aristotle’s “the roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet,” highlighted the sacrifices behind every thesis from sleepless nights to intellectual struggles.
He noted that the achievement represented academic success, resilience and dedication, noting that the University of Calabar had shaped his academic journey across multiple stages, having previously earned his LL.B (Bachelor of Law) and LL.M (Master of Law) degrees from the same institution.
The legislator further described the doctoral degree as “a call to responsibility,” urging fellow graduates to ensure their research translated into real-world impact.
Kalu agreed with late Nelson Mandela when he cited the quote “education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world,” making reference to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics, which estimated that the number of doctoral degree holders in Nigeria were fewer than 100,000 out of over 220 million people.
He noted “this places us (Nigeria ) within a very narrow community not of privilege alone, but of responsibility. It also underscores the burden of thought and the call to intellectual leadership that rests upon them.”
The lawmaker pledged to expand access to quality education by rendering support to institutions that would reposition Nigeria’s intellectual future towards growth.
He explained that through legislative efforts he would continue to support the Federal College of Education, Bende, the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Item Bende and Federal University, Okigwe.
While appreciating the University of Calabar for adjudging his research as one of the best work, he urged other doctoral degree graduates to bridge the gap between knowledge and societal progress by becoming agents of transformation.
