The Lumine News

Category: Education

  • Arthur Javis University Appoints Goddy Jedy Agba BOT Chairman

    By Victoria Effiong in CrossRiverWatch

    The Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo has appointed Nigeria’s minister for state, power, Prince Goddy Jedy Agba as the Chairman of it’s Board of Trustees.

    The appointment was conveyed in a letter to the Obudu born prince by the Chancellor of the Varsity, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong which said Agba’s appointment was after “due consideration for his distinct commitment to national development.”

    The Chancellor expressed faith that “the leadership aptitude, candour and resilience which he graciously epitomizes will be brought to bear in his position as Chairman, Board of Trustees.”

    FearlessReports quoted Agba as saying that he intends to pursue his new responsibility with utmost pleasure, which aligns with his believe that, “quality education is the solution to the challenges facing Nigeria. When we get our education right, we will get our leadership at all levels right. I believe that although we are not yet there, we are making progress.”

    The Arthur Jarvis University is the first private tertiary Varsity in Cross River State with it’s first batch of graduates in camps across the country for the National Youth Service Corps Scheme.

    The emergence of the institution was greeted with cheers as an effort to arrest the brain drain in the country with private sector participation seen as a key factor to ensuring quality education due to poor funding from public coffers.

    However, Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari had in July 2021 during a global education submit held in the United Kingdom pledged to increase the annual budget for education by 50 percent from the current 3 percent.

  • Research, A Veritable Tool For Development In Varsities – UNICAL VC

     

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi has identified research as a veritable tool for development in Universities, saying that her administration would always accord priority attention to research.

    Prof. Florence Obi stated this during the 2nd Nigerian Conference on Physical Sciences for staff and students of the Faculty with the theme, ‘’Physical Sciences: Innovation through Diversity for Sustainable Development’’ held at the New Chemistry Auditorium of the Faculty.

    According to her, no tertiary institution can achieve meaningful development without research, just as she called on academics to embrace research as a means of contributing to the growth of Universities.

    While describing the conference as ‘timely and unique’, the Vice Chancellor said the importance of research cannot be overemphasized, adding that the conference is coming at a time where the University is seeking visibility and wanting to share research knowledge and results of other people’s researches across the globe

    Prof. Florence Obi said the conference would also help to build the capacity of young academics especially in research, as part of their continuous professional growth and development.

    She said the conference has offered staff and students the privilege to present their papers and carry out researches especially in contemporary areas, even as she charged all participants to be focused in other to achieve results.

    Prof. Obi commended the Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences for promoting research especially among undergraduate and postgraduate students. she used the opportunity to encourage Ph.D Students to carry out more researches and publish in reputable journals before graduation.

    According to the Vice –Chancellor, “we want our students to know that, once they come into Ph.D programme, they must learn to present their research findings in conferences and publish them in reputable Journals by so doing, their capacities will be improved because they go out as the University ambassadors.”

    She   congratulated the Faculty of physical Sciences for recognizing their own staff that have contributed to the development of the Faculty and commended the Dean for bringing them out for recognition as a way of motivating them.

    In his remarks, the Dean, faculty of physical Science of the University of Calabar, Professor Ayi A Ayi said, the conference such as this provides a valuable opportunity for research scientists, industry specialists and decision-makers to share their experiences.

    According to Prof Ayi, at the end of the conference, sources of knowledge would be accessed and additional knowledge would be created and capacities upgraded for the growth of the institution

    The event also featured keynote addresses by two erudite professors- Prof. Samuel Okon Inyang and Prof. Nneoyi Onen Egbe.

    Highlight of the event include the presentation of awards of honour to some professors in recognition of their contributions to human capital development and advancement of the faculty.

  • UNICAL Faculty Of Physical Sciences Announces Second Nigerian Conference

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Faculty of Physical Sciences of the University of Calabar, will hold her 2nd Nigerian Conference on Physical Sciences with the theme: PHYSICAL SCIENCES: INNOVATION THROUGH DIVERSITY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Commencing from Monday 9th August through Wednesday 11th August, 2021 at the new Chemistry Auditorium of the Faculty by 11am prompt.

    A release signed by the Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences Prof Ayi A. Ayi, indicates that, activities for the conference will commence with an opening ceremony and keynote address on the topic:Interdisciplinary Research: Examining the physics – medicine Nexus, by Prof. S. O Inyang and Prof. N. O. Egbe at the same venue, under the Chairmanship of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Florence Obi, the Chief Host.

    The release further indicates that, the conference will feature awards of Honour to some eminent Professors, in recognition of their contributions to the human capital development and advancement of the Faculty .

    Members of the University Community and the general public are by this notice requested to attend.

  • Ekpenyong Commends Hope Waddell Old Boys Association As She Commissions Health Centre Donated To The Institution

    By Simon Ushie

    The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has commissioned a primary health care centre at the premises of the famous Hope Waddell Training institute calabar, the Cross River State Capital.

    The facility which was built and equipped by the Old Boys Association of the school is to provide health intervention and services for staff, students and members of the host Community.

    Speaking during the exercise, the DG described the gesture as befitting and estimable, as she noted that attaining universal Health Coverage has become everybody’s responsibility both in rural and urban areas.

    Dr Ekpenyong further applauded the team as she stated that the gesture is worth emulating by both individuals and groups.

    She encouraged other Alumnus to give back to their Alma mater and health should be prioritize in order to assist government in the Provision of efficient health care services and strengthening of school health program.

    She assured them of 100% support from the state government, and assured that the facility will enjoy all privileges like every other Primary Healthcare Centre in the state.

    “I am very excited to see this building, I commend the Hope Wadell Old Boys Association for this project which has direct effect not just to students alone but for staff and those who stay around this area.

    “As part of the collaboration with the state government, we have already sent two staff to man the facility and I assure you that, whatever is being enjoyed in other facilities, same will be enjoyed here”.

    In their separate remarks, the Principal of the school, Mr Okon Onoyom Ita, as well as the Permanent secretary, ministry of Water Resources, Dr Joseph Bassey, executive and members of the Hope Waddell Old Boys Association thanked the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the state Government for the prompt response in getting the facility to work.

    In attendance were the Director of Local Government Health Authority, Calabar Municipal Mrs Blessing Omachi, Director of Community and family Health services, Mrs Sally Enyim, Ward Focal person for Ikot Effanga, Mrs Christy Iwara as well as staff of the Hope Wadell Training Institute, and some Old Boys.

  • Akwa Ibom State Governor Orders Reinstatement Of Expelled Final Year Who Insulted Him On Facebook

    By Saviour Imukudo, Premium Times

    The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has directed the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) to reinstate a final year student of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Iniobong Ekpo who was expelled for “insulting” him on Facebook

    The decision on the student’s reinstatement was taken at the State Executive Council meeting in Uyo, on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information in the state, Ini Ememobong said in a statement.

    “EXCO (Executive Council) reviewed the AKSU expulsion case of Iniobong Ekpo and directed the university to immediately recall the said student,” the statement said.

    The student, Mr Ekpo had used a pseudonym, Afrosix Jaara, to make a Facebook post in 2019 in which he accused the governor of reneging on a promise he allegedly made in 2017 to give financial reward to the then graduating students of the university.

    “It’s 2 years and 166 days since he promised, yet none of the graduands received a naira even the first class graduands were unattended to when they went to his office,” Mr Ekpo wrote in the Facebook post, adding that Mr Emmanuel may have “scammed” the students.

    The authorities of the Akwa Ibom State University considered the article as “derogatory and defamatory” to Mr Emmanuel who by virtue of his office is the ‘Visitor’ to the university which is owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government.

    Mr Ekpo, through his lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, challenged his expulsion and demanded N20 million from the university as “general damages and gross breach of his fundamental human rights”.

    The controversy that followed the expulsion, especially on social media, prompted Mr Emmanuel to set up a committee headed by the Commissioner for Education, Idongesit Etiebiet, to review the university’s action.

    The directive for the student’s reinstatement may have been based on the committee’s recommendation, apparently.

    ‘Reinstatement is not enough’

    Mr Ekpo’s lawyer, Mr Effiong said there were other demands the university would have to meet, besides reinstating the student.

    “My position is that we had our demand clear to the university that he should be reinstated immediately, compensated with N20 million for damages and that he should also be given a special concession to write all his courses and tests that he couldn’t write on account of indefinite suspension and expulsion.

    “Those are essentially the main demands that I made in my reaction notice to the university,” Mr Effiong told PREMIUM TIMES, Thursday night.

    TEXEM

    Mr Effiong said the university should give a guarantee that his client would not be victimised.

    The lawyer said the student had been “subjected to trauma and mental torture on account of unconstitutional decision by the University Senate”.

    He said he did not rule out going to the court to enforce the other demands.

    PREMIUM TIMES could immediately reach the student for comment as his phone line was switched off as of the time of filing this report.

    When contacted, the spokesperson for the Akwa Ibom State University, Akaninyene Ibanga, said the university would “act” when the government decision is communicated to it.

  • UNICAL To Confer Two Industrialists With Hononary Degrees As 22 Students Bags First Class – VC, Obi

     

    The University of Calabar has announced the conferment of Honorary Doctorate degrees of Business Management to two Nigerian industrialists who have distinguished themselves in the contribution of the nations economy.

    The two Nigerians are the Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Motors, Chief Innocent Chukwuma and Dr Kamaru Yusuf.

    Briefing newsmen on the 34th convocation ceremony scheduled to hold on March 27 at the Abraham Ordia Stadium in the University of Calabar, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, disclosed that the two industrialists have also employed hundreds of Nigerians in their facilities.

    According to Prof. Obi, the two industrialists have also contributed greatly in promoting local content for the advancement of the country’s economy.

    She explained that it was in view of their sterling contributions that the University’s Management found them worthy of the honour.

    Giving a breakdown of the graduands, Prof. Obi disclosed that 22 students had First Class, 1,073 had Second Class Upper, while 2,763 had Second Class Lower and 26 had Pass degrees.

    She further said that the University would graduate 154 Post Graduate Diploma Students, 187 Masters Degree students and 56 P.HD.

    The VC said that the Convocation lecture will be delivered by the Minister of Transport, Chubuike Rotimi Amaechi on the topic “The National Question and the Challenges of Nationhood in Nigeria”, on Friday March 26.

    She also stated that the groundbreaking ceremony for the KAM-Wire ODL Building will also take place on March 27, while the Research Fair and Exhibition is scheduled for Thursday, March 25th.

    She used the occasion to invite all stakeholders, friends of the University, religious and traditional rulers, students, politicians, captains of industries and the general public to the convocation ceremony on March 27.

  • UNICAL Announces Date For 34th Convocation Ceremony

    By Elijah Ugani

    The University of Calabar has announced a week long activities for the 34th convocation ceremony.

    In a release made available to The Lumine News signed by the Registrar, Mr. Gabriel O. Egbe fcal indicates that the ceremony is for graduands up to and including the 2019/2020.

    The release reads in parts “The 34th convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar is hereby announced for the benefit of the general public and for graduands of this university. The ceremony which is for graduands up to and including the 2019/2020 session is as follows… ”

    According to the release, Press conference is to hold on Tuesday, March 23rd 2021 at the Council Chambers of the university.

    Convocation lecture is to hold on Friday, March 26th 2021 to be delivered by Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transport, on: The National Question and the Challenges of Nationhood.

    While Groundbreaking ceremony of the KAM-wire ODL Building and award of Diplomas/First Degrees/Higher Degrees/Conferment of Honorary Degree and induction into UNICAL Alumni will hold on Saturday, 27th March, 2021.

  • 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, 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

    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.