by By Admin
The New UNICAL Initiative represents a group of women and men drawn from town and gown whose primary goal is to work towards rebranding the University of Calabar and put her on a pedestal of excellence and pace setting among Universities across the globe.
The group’s interest also includes giving UNICAL administration a human face with staff and student’s happiness, hope and progress as priority.
The group is made up of members covering all the ranks in the academia, from Professors to Graduate Assistants as well as the rank and files in the non-teaching staff of the University. The group also includes well-wishers of the University of Calabar in Nigeria and in diaspora.
Rising from the group’s 5th symposium which held on Tuesday, the 4th of August, 2020, the group deliberated on subjects such as:
A. Leadership and academic trajectory in UNICAL since 1975
B. Gender and leadership in Unical since 1975
C. University of Calabar advancement and development since 1975
D. Welfare of staff and students of the University of Calabar and
E. The appointment/selection of Vice-Chancellors of the University of Calabar since 1975.
After several robust deliberations and debates on the above agenda, the group summarized its concerns as follows:
The University of Calabar, since inception forty-five years ago, has been administered by male Vice-Chancellors. The Vice Chancellors of the University of Calabar from inception up to this moment are:
1. Professor Emmanuel Ayandele
2. Professor Isa Mohammed
3. Professor Adamu Mohammed
4. Professor Charles Effiong
5. Professor Solomon Uno
6. Professor Kelvin Etta
7. Professor Ivara Esu
8. Professor Bassey Asuquo
9. Professor James Ekpoke and
10. Professor Zana Akpagu
This gender insensitivity has become a source of worry because there are very qualified and experienced female Professors in the University who can perform creditably and excellently as Vice Chancellors. The fact that Vice-chancellorship has been a patriarchal affair with masculine monotony puts the University of Calabar in a delicate imbalance and backwardness in the scheme of world University advancement.
The group also observed that the pattern of growth and advancement of the University since 1975 has mainly taken a common dimension and trajectory. There is therefore the need for gender balance in her leadership in order to get various capacities and dexterity in innovation for the wellbeing of both staff and students; the woman flair and touch is required in this regard.
It is also observed that Unical is lagging behind in many areas such as staff development programmes, staff accommodation, conducive offices for staff, students’ hostels, recreational and social facilities, academic competitiveness, library facilities, operational vehicles for Departments, Faculties, Institutes and Directorates, electricity, Centres of Excellence, ICT, landscaping which are hallmarks of a quality citadel of learning amongst many others.
It would be recalled that one of the achievements being attributed to the University of Benin is the appointment of a female Vice Chancellor in the person of Dr Grace Alele-Williams. Her appointment as Vice Chancellor brought the University of Benin to limelight and gave her the prestige that attracted collaborations with USAID, FORD FOUNDATION AND UNCF (United Negro College Fund) which the University took advantage of for the growth and development of the Ivory Tower till this day.
Other female past and present Vice Chancellors of Nigeria Universities (amongst others) who have put their schools on world map are:
Profs. Sidi Osho
Peace Babalola
Eka Ikpi Braids
Comfort Ekpo
Rosemond Dienye Grace Osahogulu
Cordelia Agbebaku
Maureen Etebu
Oluwayemisi Obilade
Fatima Mukhtar
Adenike Kuka
Laraba Gambo
Aize Obayan
Jaesola Akande
Lilian Salami
Olujumoke Olayiwola
Otete Cecelia
Ibiyinka Fuwape
Charity Angya (see Guardian News Paper of 21st November, 2019)
In the light of the various concerns of the group, the following resolutions were made.
a. The University of Calabar needs a female Vice Chancellor now! It is long overdue.
b. Vice Chancellorship of Universities, world over is not exclusive to men.
c. A female Vice Chancellor will put a human face to the administration of Unical; uphold fairness, justice, equity and prosperity
d. A female Vice Chancellor will bring about the much needed national and international connections for Unical. A new Unical is possible with a female Vice Chancellor.
e. A female Professor from the Southern part of Cross River should be the next Vice Chancellor.
f. We therefore support the aspiration of Professor Stella Effa- Attoe for the position of Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar.
g. We are impressed with the credentials and experience of Professor Stella Effa- Attoe as a seasoned academic and administrator which will serve as spring board for uncommon and marvelous positive transformation of our dear University of Calabar.
