The Lumine News

Category: Education

  • No Amount Of Blackmail Will Change Akpagu’s Legacies – Unical Staff

    No Amount Of Blackmail Will Change Akpagu’s Legacies – Unical Staff

     

    Some staff of the University of Calabar, Unical have raised alarm that some disgruntled elements who felt they didn’t benefit enough from the administration of the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Zana Akpagu are sponsoring smear campaign against him.

    Speaking on the condition of anonymity, they warned those behind the blackmail to desist from it and repent adding that their campaign won’t change the fact that Akpagu was and still remain the best Vice Chancellor of the University since its inception.

    One of them, a former Director in the university said that, “what is happening in Unical is very shameful. It is shameful in the sense that some cabal in the University, most of whom Prof. Akpagu gave name in the university, in a bit to show the current leadership loyalty have resorted to sponsoring smear campaign against him on social media.

    “Yesterday, I stumbled on one where they even claimed the University was given COVID-19 funds but was stolen under his administration. The FG announced resumption of school when Akpagu had almost left. And besides, when did they give the money when we were on strike throughout the peak of the pandemic? Even when we called off the strike, school didn’t resume immediately”.

    He added that “to succeed in pulling Akpagu down, they should go and undo all the faculties and departments he created, break all the gigantic buildings he built, destroy the roads he rehabilitated, make the University insecure. They should just do away with everything he did in Unical because it’s only then they can succeed”.

    Another, a Professor in the school of medical sciences who also didn’t want his name mentioned for fear of victimization said that fighting Akpagu is like fighting the wind because his performances will remain very tall in the history book of the University.

    According to him, “let me tell you, what is happening in Unical today cannot happen in the West or North. The other day I saw that they setup committee to investigate the employment done by Akpagu. What a shame. I was in Nasarawa State for an assignment when I saw one big man with 74 employment letters for his people. Most of those people didn’t even apply for jobs. We’ve not heard noise like we’re hearing in Unical.

    “I’m not a Cross Riverian but I know that Akpagu did everything within his power to employ qualified Cross River indigenes in Unical. It wasn’t like that before. Now, you setup a commitee with a predetermined agenda to sack all the people he has employed because you feel he didn’t support you to become Vice Chancellor. Are you doing him or the innocent people you want to render jobless?

    “Even if Akpagu was a devil, being the first alumnus to become VC, he deserves better. He deserves some respect. I’m not saying Akpagu is a saint but who is that saint that wants to cast the first stone? The current VC has made history as the first woman just like Akpagu did as the first alumnus, what we expect is that she should complement the efforts of her predecessor, where she see loopholes, correct and not try to wipe out the memories of him because she doesn’t know who will come after her “.

    Another who simply introduced himself as Dr. Effiom said that “when I came here, many people tried to poison my mind that the VC was fighting Akwa Ibom people but I later saw that that wasn’t the case. He employed me even when we have never met before. And if you check what Zana has done, you’ll struggle to justify why some people think they should bring him down by all means. He made some mistakes which is normal as human but what do they stand to benefit from all these? Cross River people should learn from the North. They like fighting themselves too much.

    “I know he was a tough guy but to achieve what he did, he needed to be tough. I saw one funny writeup about him increasing acceptance fee or running a no fee, no exams policy. These things are makebelief stories to misinform the public. No Vice Chancellor, no matter how powerful can take these decisions single handedly. These are Senate decisions and the University Senate compromised of intellectuals, Professors who don’t look at any body’s face to talk.

    “Another funny issue I hear them talk about is that he didn’t implement promotion arrears. I don’t know where they get these kinds of stories from but the truth is that, there’s no Senate in Unical history that has promoted more people to professorial rank like the one under Zana.

    “Also, remember that the federal government had more influence on salary payment under Zana than any other administration before him. When the government was paying incomplete salaries, people said it was Zana. If there were issues with promotion arrears, then it was with government not him. Now there’s IPPIS, would you blame the current VC over some people that are being short payed?

    “My appeal is for those looking for favour from the new administration to look for other means of doing that. Distracting the new VC or poisoning her mind against her former boss whom she served under as Deputy is not doing anybody any good. It’s just too early. If these things are not properly managed, don’t forget that Zana still enjoys strong support in the university. If his supporters start talking, the University not Zana will be the biggest victim “.

  • Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong To Fund  2021/2022 JAMB Registration Forms For Students in Bakassi and Akpabuyo

    Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong To Fund  2021/2022 JAMB Registration Forms For Students in Bakassi and Akpabuyo

     

    Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, the founder and Chancellor of Arthur Jarvis University has concluded plans to fund the 2021/2022 JAMB registration forms for eligible students in Akpabuyo and Bakassi local government areas.

    The beneficiaries of this magnanimity are SS3 students across Akpabuyo and Bakassi who are eligible to write JAMB.

    For two weeks, Sir Jarvis painstakingly toured the two local government areas in search for students who could, at least, qualify to write JAMB.

    After the survey and quick research, names of qualified candidates were immediately received for full funding of the 2021/2022 JAMB examination forms.

    According to the donor, Sir Jarvis, this benevolence is out of his desire to encourage students of these two local government areas towards being passionate about education and to further reduce financial burden on the parents.

    He gave some analysis of financial status of the majority of families in these two local government areas and concluded that for students in these areas to succeed academically and otherwise, there must be some sort of support from well meaning philanthropists.

    Stressing the peculiarity of these areas, Sir Jarvis emphasized that the solution to rising challenges is simply education as it exposes the mind for growth, development and productivity.

    He further promised that those who will perform exceedingly well in the 2021/2022 JAMB examination would be absorbed into Arthur Jarvis University on full scholarship.

  • UNICROSS Emerges Regional Semifinalists of Science and Technology Innovation Challenge

    UNICROSS Emerges Regional Semifinalists of Science and Technology Innovation Challenge

    By UNICROSS Media Team

    A team of entrepreneurs from University of Cross River State known as DC Solar Element Stove Team, has emerged as semifinalists of the first-ever Science and Technology Innovation Challenge (STIC).

    The team achieved this feat courtesy of their idea titled “DC Solar Element Stove”.
    Their emergence as regional semifinalists
    qualifies them for a chance to win the 10 million naira grand prize and this grants the university the chance to win a special grant for research and development center, courtesy of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
    In addition, the university’s Faculty Guide for the team stands a chance to win Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) cash and a laptop computer.

    DC Solar Element Stove Team comprises Miss Victoria Ekpenyong Effiong, a second Year student of Visual Arts Department and Mr. Paul Okim, a third Year student of Electrical/Electronic Engineering Department.

    A letter addressed to them by Michael Ajayi, Country Director of Enactus Nigeria, implementing partner for NCDMB, states that: “Of the 511 entries received from 129 tertiary institutions across all 36 states of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory, 179 eventually made it to the first screening stage and were screened by 63 distinguished professionals who have over 100 years of cumulative experience in business development, information technology and social enterprise development. The judges committed over 156 man-hours to peruse and score in 3 rigorous screening stages over a 3-weeks period. After each of the three stages of the screening, the results were collated and verified by KPMG Professional Services.”

    The letter explains that the STIC is a nation-wide, enterprise-development program designed to challenge undergraduates from all accredited Nigerian tertiary institutions to stretch their ingenuity and apply science and technology to create home-grown, innovative and technology-driven business solutions that address pressing everyday problems.
    The letter adds that the initiative will create wealth and provide job opportunities for the growing number of unemployed Nigerians.

    The management, staff and students of UNICROSS congratulate the DC Solar Element Stove Team on this feat and wish them success at the regional competition.

     

  • C/River Central students Extols Senator Sandy Onor

    C/River Central students Extols Senator Sandy Onor

    By Admin

    The Senator representing Central Senatorial District of Cross River state, Sen. Sandy Onor and his Special Adviser on Student affairs, Mr. Emmanual Obeten has been extolled by students of the senatorial district for their giant strides and excellent performances for the growth of Cross River central.
    The students described the senator as a man who understands the plight of his people and proffers solutions to the myriads of challenges that beclouds them.

    The students gave the commendations in appreciation for the lawmaker’s continuous support to the welfare of students in Cross River Central, at the reception organized by the SA on Students Affairs to the senator, shortly after the matriculation ceremony of the newly admitted students of the Cross River State College of Health Technology, Calabar, today February, 25th 2021.

    Speaking to The Lumine News after the matriculation ceremony, the President of Central Senatorial Students Assembly of College of Health Technology, Calabar Chapter, Mr. Clement Bisong who spoke on behalf of the students appreciated Senator Onor for always identifying with the student anytime he is called upon.

    “I want to thank the senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District for the gifts he presented to us, the students are very happy and we really appreciate him for being with us”, he expressed.

    He wished the newly matriculated students well and success throughout their stay in school. He encouraged them to make hard work their watchword as to excel in their academic pursuits.

    On his part, the President of Central Senatorial Students, UNICROSS chapter, Mr. Bitty Divine Amba was pleased with the Special Adviser to Senator Onor, for his kind gesture to the students, especially for organizing the reception as well as giving them opportunity to be at the matriculation ceremony. He averred that the students were happy to welcome the SA to the Senator.

    He added that it is a privilege to have a good man like senator Onor represent them at the national assembly. He used the opportunity to call on the senator not to relent in his good works, but continue to provide the needed representation to the central senatorial district, and prayed God to continue to be with the senator as he continue to discharge his duties to the best of his abilities.

    Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser to Sen. Onor on Student Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Obeten charged the students to take their studies very serious and avoid engaging in any act capable of exposing them to danger as well as social vices like sexual misconduct, cultism and drug abuse.

    He urged them to maintain the tempo their senior colleagues have established by ensuring that Cross River Central students do exploits in their academic endeavours.

    Obeten maintained that “we deemed it fit to celebrate with the new students as a show of our love for them.

    “Senator Sandy Onor is a man of his words which has made many describe him as the original caterpillar. He has the interest of his constituents at heart and will continue to provide the needed platform for his people to realize their potentials.

    The SA assured them of his continuous support as far as they remain good ambassadors of Cross River Central.

    Highlights of the ceremony was distribution of exercise books and refreshments for the students and group photograph.

  • Breaking: CRUTECH Converted To UNICROSS

    Breaking: CRUTECH Converted To UNICROSS

    By UNICROSS Media Team.

    Cross River University of Technology has been converted to University of Cross River State.

    This development followed the signing into Law of a bill to that effect by Senator Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State and Visitor to the University.

    The Bill was sponsored by Rt. Honorable Peter Odey, member representing Ogoja Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly.

    With this conversion, the erstwhile Cross River University of Technology has now become a conventional university and can now run all courses, unrestrictedly.

    Picture below shows the Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Professor Augustine Angba in his office today with Rt. Honorable Peter Odey, shortly after the bill was signed into law.

     

  • As Unical Resumes Tomorrow 5th, Hostel Accommodation Will Be Open One Week Later – Egbe

    As Unical Resumes Tomorrow 5th, Hostel Accommodation Will Be Open One Week Later – Egbe

    By Elijah Ugani

    The management of the University of Calabar has stated that hostel accommodation will be open to students on the 12th of February 2021one week from 5th February, 2021 the official resumption date.

    In a release made available to The Lumine News and signed by the Registrar, Mr. Gabriel Egbe indicates that it is to give room for the completion of the renovation of the vandalized hostels.

    The release reads in full, “This is to inform our students that the University of Calabar will be resuming for normal academic activities tomorrow Friday 5th February, 2021. However, hostel accommodation will not be open to students until Wednesday 12th February 2021. This is to give room for the completion of the renovation of vandalized hostels. Returning students, especially those who were earlier allocated bed spaces in the hostels are please advised to seek temporary accommodation outside the campus until 12th February, 2021.

    “Students are advised to take note of this new development. Be informed also, that the university policy of “no squatting in the hostel” is still in force. All Students must adhere to all Covid-19 precautionary measures put in place by management.

    “On behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, I wish all our returning students a safe and peaceful academic session”.

  • Breaking news: CRUTECH Releases First Semester Examination Time Table

    Breaking news: CRUTECH Releases First Semester Examination Time Table

    By CRUTECH Media Team

    Authorities of Cross River University of Technology have released a time table for the conduct of first semester 2019/2020 examinations.

    The time table was released by the office of the university’s Director of Academic Planning.

    It shows that Phase A of the examinations will hold from February 8th to February 10th and will involve mainly General Courses for Carry-over students in Year 3 to 5.
    This arrangement is meant to decongest examination halls when Year 1 and Year 2 students resume later in February to write examinations in the same courses.

    Phase B of the examinations will hold from 11th February to 19th February and will involve Departmental courses for students in Year 3 to Year 5.

    In addition, the time table indicates that conference marking and submission of results, marking scheme and model answers will commence from February 22nd and end on February 26th.

    This release officially puts paid to rumors and doubts concerning dates for the commencement of first semester examinations in the university.

    The university’s management wishes all students success in their examinations.
    It also wishes staff of the university well in the conduct of the examinations.

  • CRUTECH’s VC Calls On Students To Expose Unethical Practices By Some Lecturers

    CRUTECH’s VC Calls On Students To Expose Unethical Practices By Some Lecturers

    By CRUTECH Media Team

    The Vice Chancellor of Cross River University of Technology, Professor Augustine Angba, has called on students of the university to expose unethical practices allegedly perpetrated by some lecturers of the university.

    Angba made this call yesterday, January 28th 2021, while addressing year 3, 4 and 5 students of Calabar campus of the university, during the COVID-19 orientation programme.

    His words: “Students complain to me even when I was Acting Vice Chancellor. When I say ‘give me the name of the lecturer’, they say ‘Sir, I don’t want trouble.’ Jesus! So, you are patronizing the lecturer. How can you be protecting somebody who kills you? If you have any complain, nobody will do you anything. Just inbox the name of the lecturer to me. The lecturers who collect sorting are ignorant. Such lecturers are under a curse.”

    He stated that although names of alleged perpetrators of unethical practices are already on his table, the battle against victimization of students can only be won if affected students cooperate with him in fighting that battle.

    The Vice Chancellor enjoined students to be of good behavior at all times, adding that education without character is meaningless. He stated that it is completely unreasonable for any student to destroy the university’s property at any time. “Having stayed at home for ten months, my students should graduate and go. If any person tells you to look for trouble, tell the person that you want to graduate and go. Trouble is not good.” He added.

    Professor Angba averred that he intends to improve on the image of CRUTECH by giving a positive outlook of the university. He invited students to cooperate with him in that regard, stating that “you are the future of this state and my vision for the state and country is to raise young men and women who are globally competitive.”

    Speaking on COVID-19, the Vice Chancellor described the virus as “very real”. He implored students of the university to adhere to guidelines against the spread of the virus as recommended by relevant authorities, including the university’s Committee on COViD-19.

    On his part, the Chairman of CRUTECH’s Committee on COVID-19, Professor Emmanuel Uttah, charged the students to be wary of false sense of security about the virus. He said that a new and more deadly variant of the virus is currently afoot.

    According to him, ”COVID-19 is not written on anybody’s face. That is why you must listen to mitigation protocols and abide by them. Survival is a function of personal decision. If you decide well, you will survive and live well.”

    A similar orientation programme will take place in Obubra, Ogoja and Okuku campuses of the university, respectively.
    It will also take place for year 1 and 2 students of all campuses of the university after they resume in February.

     

  • CRUTECH VC Justifies “NO FEE, NO EXAMS” Policy Of CRUTECH

    CRUTECH VC Justifies “NO FEE, NO EXAMS” Policy Of CRUTECH

    By CRUTECH Media Team

    The Vice Chancellor of Cross River University of Technology, Professor Augustine Angba, has justified the university’s policy of “NO FEE, NO EXAMS” by explaining that students owe the university the sum of 1.46 billion naira and must pay that debt.

    The Vice Chancellor made this justification today when he featured as a guest of “The People’s Opinion”, a program of FAD 93.1FM radio station, Calabar.

    Professor Angba said: “His Excellency in his good heart said that with the EndSARS protests and impact, he was going to suspend tuition fee payment. On our fee schedule, we have eighteen items. Tuition fees is just one of them. The students are aware of this.

    “Secondly, this school fees we are talking about is the one they started paying in 2019. They are coming back to write 2019/2020 examination. Even if government pays all their fees today, they still have to pay the fees. It is a debt. As I am talking to you this morning, students owe CRUTECH a total of 1.46 billion naira on fees. They need to pay their outstanding school fees. Not only that of 2019/2020…. Any student owing school fees will have to pay.”

    His statement of justification followed wrong insinuations in some quarters that the Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade, made a public pronouncement that exempts indigenes of Cross River State schooling in CRUTECH from paying school fees.

    Consequently, the Vice Chancellor said: “If government makes a pronouncement, the pronouncement has to be documented and translated and the translation now commences the process of implementation.

    On the issue of fees, if a man makes a pronouncement and feels you should not pay tuition fees anymore, it will require time and processes to do the documentation and come out with data. You know that ASUU just called off strike. We need time and if the right thing is done, definitely they will be excluded from paying tuition fees.”

    It should be recalled that CRUTECH’s policy of “NO FEE, NO EXAMS” was approved by the University’s Senate and implemented in the first and second semester of 2018/2019 academic session.

    Although all students of the university wrote examinations during the session, answer scripts of indebted students got selected and excluded from marking. This means that affected students did not have results for that session. Therefore, such students are required to pay school fees of that session and properly take courses of the session.

    The same policy is set to continue this session. This policy is not strange, considering the fact that the policy of free education does not exist in CRUTECH, just as it does not exist in other Nigerian universities.

     

  • VC Commends ABSU Debate Team For Their Gallantry

    VC Commends ABSU Debate Team For Their Gallantry

    ABSU Press

    The Vice Chancellor, Distinguished Professor O. M Ogbulu has poured encomiums on the Abia State University (ABSU) Debate club for bringing home trophies and laurels from the Universities debate competitions at the National and continental levels.

    Speaking while receiving the winning team at the Conference room of his office, the Vice Chancellor expressed joy at their gallant efforts, and commended them for doing the University proud.

    According to him, “This is a feat that has propelled the University to global recognition, and an indication of the intellectual development of students of the University who are the tommorows leaders that will take the center stage at different areas of their carreers”

    This he added, is the kind of news management will like to hear, and promised that the University will sponsor them in other competitions as well as fulfill other requests they made.

    Earlier, the coach and leader of the team, Emmanuel Shebbs, while thanking the Vice Chancellor for his support to the club, disclosed that ABSU debating club which was birthed on 30th August 2019 has three core values, which include, debating, public speaking and leadership, equipping students with high profile skills and prepare them for tasks that await them at the peak of their career.

    He added that ABSU debate club has brought visibility to the University in Africa and beyond as well as open a vista of opportunities for intelligent youths.

    Mr Shebbs also announced that within a year and five months of the establishment of the club, they have won 42 individual awards, and 12 institutional awards for the University which they came to present to the Vice Chancellor.

    In a vote of thanks, Emmanuel Precious, the club President, expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for the warm reception and assured that they will continue to win trophies for the University for every competition they participates.

    Highpoint of the meeting was the presentation of the trophies and medals to the Vice Chancellor.

    The Registrar, University Bursar, were present at the meeting.