His Royal Majesty, Orcivirigh Professor James Ortese Ayatse, Tor Tiv V, a professor of Biochemistry, has said that the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, a biochemist, was one of his most brilliant and exceptional Ph.D students at the University of Calabar.
 
Tor Tiv, was one of biochemistry lecturers of Governor Ikpeazu during his (Ikpeazu’s) Ph.D studies in Biochemical Pharmacology at the University of Calabar. 
 
Speaking during a state banquet organized in his honor at the Government House in Umuahia, Tor Tiv V, said: “When I knew Victor (Okezie Victor Ikpeazu) many years ago, I didn’t know he would be a governor. He was one of our very brilliant, sharp Ph.D students. He finished his Ph.D program at the university in record time.”

Responding, the Governor thanked the monarch, even as he apointed the Tor Tiv V and Paramount Ruler of the Tiv Ethnic nationality in Benue State, as the Chancellor of the Abia State University.