Gentlemen of the Press,
It gives me great pleasure and joy to have you here again in the University of Calabar. I am profoundly grateful to you for bringing the wielding influence of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to the promotion and advancement of Project Unical. Right from the time that I was ushered into office as Vice Chancellor, you have stood firmly by me and never hesitated to take Unical to the world through your various modes of communication. On this particular occasion, I use this opportunity to appreciate your partnership, understanding, goodwill, concern and availability as veritable stakeholders and partners in progress. I would like this synergy to be sustained till my last day in office, and even beyond. I treasure your valued cooperation and welcome you specially.
Today’s Press Conference is summoned to draw the attention of our various stakeholders and by extension the larger society to the oncoming historical, epochal, and unifying event which we have tagged “ Unical @ 50 and the 37th Convocation Ceremony”, a fusion of two large events for celebration within one week. The event is scheduled to begin from Monday, 17th March, 2025 and will run till Sunday, 23nd March, 2025.
May I remind us that prior to this oncoming ceremony, we held a press conference as a university to intimate the larger society and the world that Unical is 50 years old. The event took place in the Council Chamber of the University on Tuesday, November 19th,2024. The Press Conference was followed with a Colloquium held at the Unical International Conference on February 12, 2025. The theme of the Colloquium was “University of Calabar and Its Contributions to National Development”. The discussants at the memorable event were notably members of the Unical Alumni who took out time to showcase the impact of the University on them, the host communities, the nation and the world. Suffice it to say, that the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey, who is here today, moderated the event and many of you participated in it.
After those pre- anniversary activities, the University proceeded to organise a Meritorious Service Award Ceremony for Staff of the institution on March 13, 2025 for those who have served the University creditably over the years and have been part of the institution’s success story and legacy. The awards ceremony was unique as the present generation of staff were excited to see the 6th Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kevin Ogon Eta, and the first Dean of Science, Prof. Ulo Kponuko Enyenihi, among the golden awardees.
On March 14, 2025, the University Community gathered again. This time, the convergence was at the Senate Chamber of the institution. The Alumni of the University gathered for a Round Table Interactive Session to discuss a given theme: “Repositioning the University of Calabar for Greater Output: 2025–2075”. The National President of Unical Alumni, Barr Paul Eshiemomoh; the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Prof Angela Oyo-Ita; and the erstwhile Registrar of the institution, Ambassador Gabriel Egbe, were the Lead Speakers.
As we gather today, it is my responsibility as the current head of this 50- year old institution to provide essential information as to how the week-long event would run or be held.
Immediately after this Press Conference, we shall be proceeding to the Main Gate of our prestigious university to commence the much awaited “Victory Walk”. As the Vice Chancellor favoured by God to be on the saddle at this time of the celebration, I will lead the way. My Staff, Students and Alumni will be part of the all-embracing exercise round the campus. It is labelled “Victory Walk” because the word ‘victory’ encapsulates our overall successes over the years, triumphs in our academic endeavours and the study arena, repeated multiple triumphs in the local, national and international space as well as the winning mentality which we have cultivated as an institution. That walk is a unifying initiative symbolic of our togetherness, strength and resilience over the years.
On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, an Inter-Denominational Service would be held at the Unical International Conference Centre at 10am prompt. It has been our tradition over the years to collectively place God first in all our endeavours. A Servant of God, Rev Fr. Dr. Evaristus Bassey would be sharing insights from God’s Word with us on the topic “Our Hope Does Not Disappoint” (Rom 5:5). We are giving an open invitation to all who intend to share with us God’s abundant blessings. Come, let’s collectively seek the face of God for guidance and success.
After the Service, focus will shift to the Open Pavilion, opposite the Medical Centre where the 2025 Convocation Research Fair and Exhibition would be flagged off by 11am. The Research Fair has been an integral part of our convocations, intended to showcase the rich academic and creative potentials of our University. Our various Faculties, Departments and Directorates will be on parade. At 50, we have so much to showcase. Investors, captains of industries, business moguls, bank executives and entrepreneurs would be there to see what we have and what will be of immense concern to them.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 is a day largely and essentially devoted to the promotion of Alumni activities. The meeting of Convocation (Alumni) will kick-start the day’s activities. It is a meeting strictly for every alumnus of the University of Calabar. The National President of Unical Alumni, Barr Paul Eshiemomoh is expected to preside over affairs. This meeting begins by 9am.
At 11am, Alumni Reunion Activities (Unical @ 50) would take the centre stage at the students’ domain which has been named “Malabor Republic” over the years. We expect massive influx of Unical Alumni, Malabites and Malabresses into their most primary constituency, Malabor. They would be expected to engage the students and interact extensively with them. It is indeed a reunion, a time of seeing old colleagues and re-igniting the old and wonderful times when they were here as students. This event is undoubtedly one of the key highlights in the Unical @ 50 celebration. We are calling on all our alumni at home and abroad to take this seriously by being part of this momentous renewal and reaffirmation of the Malabitic Spirit.
By 4pm, the curtain for the Research Fair and Exhibition would be drawn with the presentation of prizes at its closing ceremony.
Thursday, March 20, 2025 offers us a day loaded with pivotal activities.
The first event for the day is the 50th Anniversary and Convocation Lecture. This lecture would be delivered by one of our chosen University Ambassadors, the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. He would be speaking on the topic, “Our Gown in Town and in Cyberspace: Sustainable and Human Centred Education, the Mandate of our University, 2025-2075”.
The lecture would commence from 11am prompt. The venue for the event is the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), Summit Hills, Calabar.
The event would be chaired by the former Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lafia, and Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), and also the immediate past and first female President of the Nigeria Academy Of Science, Professor Ekanem Ikpi Braide.
Still at the same venue, another pivotal ceremony would commence at 2pm prompt. It is: “Awards and Fund Raising”.
This administration under my leadership has in the course of the last four years in every convocation given awards to deserving Staff of the University of Calabar to appreciate their service to the institution.
An added dimension to the award category this year would be the presentation of awards to some notable alumni of the University of Calabar and a few outside the University who have distinguished themselves in their service to mankind.
We also intend to use the occasion to raise funds to improve and respond to the infrastructural demands of our institution, coming on the heels of demographic and curricular expansion. We need to get ready for NUGA 2026. The institution needs a better and sophisticated Medical Centre. The University is developing very fast with a steep increase in student population. More classrooms, teaching and learning facilities and hostels are needed; and the sprawling University Library Building is need of structural rehabilitation.
A Command Performance at 6pm would round-off the events for the day.
Friday, March 21, 2025 is the day set aside for the Award of Masters, First Degrees & Diplomas/Induction into Unical Alumni.
The event is slated for 11am at the Abraham Ordia Stadium, University of Calabar.
A total of 13,610 students are expected to be part of this convocation ceremony. A breakdown shows that the Diplomas students are 181 in number, First Degrees 11,725, Masters Degrees 876, PhD 572, PGD 249 and Postdoctoral Diploma in Education 7. Further breakdown shows 66 First Class, 3,054 Second Class Upper Division, 7,450 Second Class Lower Division, 925 Third Class and 7 Pass.
As expected, we shall be awarding degrees to those who have been found worthy in character and learning. The event would be marked by formal induction into the Unical Alumni.
Prior to this event, would be the Commissioning of Projects.
Some projects would be commissioned by 9am. The projects billed for commissioning are:
i. Unical Hall of Fame and Multipurpose Auditorium
ii. The College of Education Complex
iii. Fire Service Station/Fire-Fighting Truck
iv. Pharmaceutical and Medical Pharmacy Building and
v. Faculty of Pharmacy Administrative Building
The last event for the day is the Graduate School Dinner for Ph.D. Graduands with their Supervisors.
This commendable initiative of Management and the College of Postgraduate Studies began at the 36th Convocation in 2024, where it was first observed. It is a platform for appreciation of mentorship, interaction and renewal as well as merriment. It is billed for 6pm at the Cross River Community Hall in the University of Calabar.
Saturday, March 22, 2025 is the last day of the Convocation. It is the day billed for the award of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degrees, Honorary Doctorate Degrees (Honoris Causa), Investiture of Emeritus Professors and Induction into Unical Alumni
….… number of students drawn from various departments and disciplines are expected to convoke at the event. As an institution, we will continue to produce sound and globally competitive Ph.D. graduands, with the fervent hope that the knowledge, wisdom and confidence they have gained will positively impact and transform society.
This memorable event, which is the last under my administration as the 11th Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, will also feature the investiture of Emeritus Professor on 3 highly acclaimed professors of the University of Calabar, whose intellectual contributions to their disciplines and the institution are widely acknowledged. The decision to accord them this special recognition has been endorsed by the Senate of the institution. The recipients of the award are: Prof Ekanem Ikpi Braide of the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Prof Eme Effiom Osim of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and Prof Chris Nwamuo of the Faculty of Arts.
Aside the Emeritus Professorship, Honorary Awards would also be conferred on 6 deserving Nigerians who have made landmark contributions, shaped the landscape and impacted lives in service to their motherland.
The list include the following:
Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio (D.Educ Mgt)
H.E. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (D. Pol.Sc)
H.E. Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu (D. Pol Sc)
Maj. Gen. (rtd.) Moses Bisong Obi (D. Peace & Conflict Studies)
Hon. Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, JSC (D. Laws.)
Prince Arthur I. Eze (D. Bus Mgt)
The Convocation event would commence from 11am prompt at the Unical International Conference Centre.
Sunday, March 23, 2025
The 50th Anniversary/Convocation would come to a close with a Thanksgiving Service at St Paul’s Parish, University of Calabar on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 9am prompt.
We would be going back to church to render our gratitude to God for seeing us through the entire events.
I thank you all for your presence and precious time which mean your willingness to give this event the wider publicity that it deserves.
God bless you all.
Prof. Florence Banku Obi
11th and Golden Jubilee Vice Chancellor
University of Calabar
17th March, 2025.
