By Asuquo Cletus
The Chief of Staff to the Cross River State Governor, Emmanuel Ironbar, and his wife Virgina Emmanuel , have been honoured with prestigious fellowship awards by the Research Gateway Professional Institute (RGP).
The award was during a grand graduation and induction ceremony held in Calabar.
The event, which took place at the EU Prime Hall of the College of Health Technology, Calabar (COHTECH), saw 93 healthcare professionals inducted into various fields of practice following their successful completion of training under the RGP–COHTECH partnership.
Ironbar, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Ben Okache, was conferred with Doctoral Fellow, Professional Fellow, and Ambassadorial awards in recognition of his contributions to public service, youth empowerment, and support for professional development. His wife was also decorated as a Fellow of the Institute, applauded for her community engagement and advocacy.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Staff, Okache described the recognition as a “deeply appreciated gesture” and reaffirmed the government’s support for institutions that promote youth development and professional excellence.
“This honour is not just a personal recognition but a call to deepen our commitment to human capital development in Cross River State. The administration of His Excellency, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu, remains focused on strategic partnerships like this that build capacity, inspire innovation, and uplift communities,” he said.
Okache praised the efforts of RGP in driving professional training and urged the graduands to become active contributors to the state’s health and development sectors.
In his welcome remarks, the Provost of COHTECH, Dr. Ita Ikpeme, commended the synergy between the two institutions, describing it as a model for impactful academic and professional collaborations aimed at addressing healthcare gaps in underserved communities.
“This collaboration is a reflection of our collective commitment to developing skilled, ethical, and compassionate healthcare professionals who will serve as catalysts for change in society,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RGP, Dr.ThankGod Onda hailed the ceremony as a milestone in the institute’s mission to empower Nigerian youths with globally relevant skills and certifications.
He disclosed that the 93 inducted professionals are beneficiaries of rigorous academic and practical training, many of whom also participated in the Institute’s March 2025 free youth empowerment program which trained over 1,700 young people across the 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State in CPD-accredited courses and vocational skills.
Arong also unveiled the institute’s newest publication, “Healthcare Professional Guide,” a comprehensive manual designed to serve as a practical resource for healthcare workers and public health students. In addition, he announced the upcoming rollout of a free Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE Level 1) scholarship training for health workers across the state, set to begin in August.
Highlighting the institute’s milestones, he noted RGP’s affiliations with African private universities, its recognition by the University of Calabar’s Faculty of Law, and ongoing collaborations with faith-based organisations and government agencies.
He, however, appealed for greater support from stakeholders, noting that the institute is in need of infrastructure, equipment, mobility, and digital tools to scale its training and outreach programs.
Dignitaries present at the event included government representatives, traditional leaders, faculty members, and parents of the graduating students, all of whom commended the institute’s contribution to education and national development.
