By Kingsley Agim
Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State has paid a moving tribute to the late Professor Atu Ausaji Ayuk, describing him as a towering academic, devoted Christian, and a man whose life was marked by profound contributions to knowledge and humanity.
Speaking during a solemn Day of Tributes held in honour of the late scholar at the Calabar International Conference Centre (CICC), on Friday, Governor Otu noted that Prof. Ayuk’s impact would live on, even in death.
“This is not about how long you live, but the impact you have had on the sands of time,” the governor said. “Prof. Ayuk deserves everything the state has done here today. His legacy is written not just in academic journals but in the lives he touched.”
The governor reflected on the inevitability of death, quoting words of Christ to remind the audience that while human life is fleeting, the soul lives on, particularly for those who walk in faith.
“For those in Christ, death is not the end; it is the beginning of the true journey,” he said, offering words of comfort to the family. “The state will always be there for you in this season and beyond.”
He praised Prof. Ayuk’s decades of scholarly work, particularly in the field of quantum organic chemistry, and affirmed the administration’s commitment to honouring legacy figures whose lives embody service, knowledge, and integrity.
Also speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, described Prof. Ayuk as a man of remarkable intellect and character, whose death at 79 was a monumental loss to Nigeria and Africa.
“Prof. Ayuk was not only a chartered chemist and fellow of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, but also a teacher in many universities within and outside Nigeria,” Ganduje said. “He was a well of knowledge the younger generation still needed to draw from.”
Ganduje commended Prof. Ayuk’s leadership in both academic and spiritual circles, noting that he was a beacon of moral discipline, Christian devotion, and intellectual excellence.
The event drew dignitaries from across the nation, including top political leaders, scholars, religious figures, and family members who gathered to celebrate the life of a man they described as “a scholar of the highest order and a gentleman of unwavering faith.”
Prof. Atu Ausaji Ayuk passed away on March 1, 2025, at the age of 79. He is remembered not just for his academic achievements but also as a family man, mentor, and devout Christian. He will be buried on Saturday at his hometown of Bendeghe-Ekiem in Etung local government of the state.
