The Lumine News

Category: Education

  • Florence Obi Takes Over As The 11th Vice Chancellor Of The University Of Calabar

    By Admin

    Prof. Florence Obi, today, December 1st assumed office as the 11th Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, following the expiration of the former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Itunbe Akpagu, the first alumnus, who was the 10th  VC of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) on November 30, 2020.

    Prof. Obi is referred to as the Amazon of Academic Excellence, is the first female VC of UNICAL, 45 years since inception.

    Obi was elected as the new VC of UNICAL on the 10th of September, 2020 and is expected to steer the  affairs of the institution for 5 years; from December 1, 2020 to November 30, 2025.

    Some dignitaries at the investiture of Prof. Florence Banku Obi include but not limited to:

    1. Pro-Chancellor of UNICAL, Sen. Nkechi Nwaogu.
    2. H.E. Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River State and Wife, Mrs. Onari Duke
    3. Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu and Wife, Mrs. Omotunde Ivara Esu
    4. High Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong
    5. Newly elected VC of CRUTECH, Prof. Austine Angba.

    6. Senator Florence Ita-Giwa
    7. Minister of State for Power, Prince Goddy Jedy-Agba
    8. Former VC of CRUTECH and Federal University Lafia, Prof. Eka Braide
    9. Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V
    10. Paramount Rulers of Calabar South, Municipality and Bakassi

    11. Former VC of UNICAL, Prof. Kevin Etta
    12. Newly elected VC of UNIUYO, Prof. Nyaudoh Ukpabio Ndaeyo
    13. VC of UNIBEN
    14. VC of UNILAG
    15. VC of UNIPORT

    16. Captain of industries
    17. Service Chiefs
    18. University Dons, among many others.

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  • Strike: Over 3,000 Students Of C/River School Of Health Technology To Protest In Ayade’s Office, Major Streets In Calabar

    By George Odok Jr

    The Student Union Government of the Cross River College of Health Technology has concluded plans to lead a massive protest to Gov. Ben Ayade’s office for failure of the governor to restore the salary structure of staff of the College.

    Addressing newsmen in Calabar, SUG President of the institution, Bassey Chima Kedemiti, said that the incessant strike embarked upon by staff of the institution over the salary structure had disrupted their academic calendar and directly prolonged their stay in school.

    It would be recalled that the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) of the institution embarked on a one week warning strike over the suspension of its Consolidated Polytechnic and Colleges of Education and Academic Salary Structure by the state government.

    The suspension of the Consolidated Polytechnic Academic Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and the Consolidated Tertiary Educational Salary Structure (CONTEDISS) by the state government in Nov. 2019 has been described by members of the unions as “unwarranted”.

    CONPCASS and CONTEDISS salary structures were approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission in 2010 and implemented in 2011 for all Polytechnics, Monotechnics and College of Health Technology in Nigeria.

    The SUG President lamented that their license examination have been put on hold because of the incessant strikes by lecturers of the institution over the salary structure.

    “We are a population of over 5,000 students and we are hitting the street on a peaceful protest on November 30th if the state government fails to restore the salary structure of our staff.

    “We are going to block the road on that day and there will be no movement along Mary Slessor road in Calabar. As the SUG President, I am going to lead over 3,000 students in a peaceful protest if the state government doesn’t restore the salary structure of staff of this institution.

    “I know what our students can do, hence it will be nice for the governor to restore the salary structure and allow us have a smooth academic calendar,” he said.

    Also speaking, the NACRISS President of the Institution, Comrade Obongha David Igri, said that the state government had neglected the welfare of their staff since 2017.

    According to him, “College of Health Technology Calabar hardly embark on strike, not until this present administration came on board”.

    “I must tell you the truth, the state government has not tried in meeting with the demands of staff of this institution.

    “Students were supposed to have graduated and be mobilised for NYSC, but the state government had drastically reduced the salary of staff of this institution.

    “We appeal with the state government to restore the salary structure of staff of this institution for the sake of the students.

    “I am joining my strength with the SUG President to say that if the salary structure is not restored, we will embark on a massive protest on November 30th to the governor’s office,” he said.

  • Negotiation Between FG And ASUU Today Yielded Good Result, All Withheld Salaries To Be Paid With The Old Platform

    By Elijah Ugani

    There seemed to be hope for students to return to school before the end of the year as the meeting between the Federal Government of Nigeria FGN and the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU today, Friday 20th November, 2020 yielded good results.

    This was disclosed by ASUU on its verified official tweeter handle @ASUUng where ASUU noted that “The negotiation between FG and #ASUU today yielded very good results”

    The release indicates that “government has agreed to use old platform before IPPIS to pay all withheld salaries.

    “#UTAS is still undergoing usability test.

    “On revitalization, the government offered N15billion in addition to the N20billion pledged earlier”

    The twit further disclosed that “ASUU will now consult with its council and then get back to the government in a short while, to make their final intention known, if the strike will be suspended or not”

  • Breaking: ASUU Describes News Of Strike Suspension As Fake

    Academic Staff Union of Universities has described a trending statement announcing the suspension of its ongoing strike as fake news.

    The Lumine News had reported that ASUU has suspended its strike, but the Union’s President noted that the said release with the signature of ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi went viral on Wednesday evening.

    It was titled ”Notice of suspension of ASUU indefinite strike action of all member universities across Nigeria and dated 18th November 2020.

    A fact check on ASUU verified official tweeter handle @assu, marked the notification statement as fake news.

  • Breaking: ASUU Set To Suspend Its Seven Months Indefinite Strike Action

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU is set to suspend its seven months indefinite strike action.

    The Lagos zonal branch of ASUU said the Union is set to shift grounds on their demands considering the plight of the students.

    A fact check on ASUU official website could not confirm this story.

    Calls to Unical Branch of the Union, Dr. John Edor were not taken, as at the time of this report.

     

  • Gov. Ayade Confirms The Appointment Of Prof. Angba As CRUTECH VC.

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has confirmed the appointment of Prof. Austin Oko Angba as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the Cross River University of Technology CRUTECH.

    In a release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Tina Agbor and sighted by The Lumine News, dated 9th November, 2020, indicates that the appointment takes effect from 6th November, 2020, and he is to serve a term of five years.

    Prof. Angba was among the three names forwarded by the Governing Council to the Governor for consideration and subsequent appointment.

    The Governor and Visitor to the university in exercise of his duty settled for Prof. Angba.

  • Breaking News: CRUTECH Gets Substantive Vice Chancellor

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The management of the Cross River State University of Technology CRUTECH has announced Prof. Austin Angbah as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution.

    Prof. Angba was until now the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, and the third VC in the series in eighteen months after the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh.

    On assumption of office, Prof. Angba has exhibited a high administrative prowess in the discharged of his duties.

    The confirmation of Prof. Angba appointment as the substantive Vice Chancellor, comes on the heels the numerous calls from all spheres condemning the path government had taken to reduce the position of Vice Chancellor to acting capacity.

    Angba’s appointment is greeted with widespread jubilation as cross riverians took to Facebook to celebrate his appointment, stating that they believed in his capacity to deliver.

    Prof. Austin Angba is a lecturer, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State.

  • Unity Schools To Reopen In October 12th – Adamu

    Admin

    The Federal Government has directed unity schools in the country, earlier closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to reopen on October 12th, 2020.

    The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, announced the reopening of the schools on Friday in Abuja, explained that the COVID-19 curve has been flattened.

    According to the Minister, schools across the country, are, however at liberty to fix resumption dates and ensure that there are adequate safety measures while doing so.

    Mr Adamu warned that schools that fail to adhere to outlined COVID-19 safety protocols, risk closure if there is any outbreak from such learning facilities.

    Source: Channels

  • The management of the Cross River University of Technology, CRUTECH has described the rumor of the institution resumption as being peddled on social media claiming that the institution has announced its resumption date as a misinformation.

    In a release signed by Mr. Onen E. Onen, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of CRUTECH on Tuesday, September 22, 2020,  made available to The Lumine News, indicates that in line with the directives of Covid-19 protocol and the Governor, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, the management of CRUTECH will announce a resumption date in due course.

    The release reads in parts “The attention of the Management has been drawn to a misinformation trending on social media, in which Cross River University of Technology is said to have released a date of resumption for the 2019/2020 academic session.

    “We wish to state categorically, that the said information which is being peddled by mischief makers, is totally false and does not emanate from the University or any of it’s organs. It is a fake publication aimed at misinforming the general public. From investigation, the mischievous information was merely copied and inserted on our university’s name from another fake announcement credited to another university.

    “While waiting for official directives on resumption, we implore the general public to discountenance the fake information on circulation and that, in line with the directives of the Presidency and of the Governor, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade, Cross River University of Technology will release her resumption details in due course”

  • Choice Of UNICAL’s First Female VC Attests To Excellence Of Womenfolk – Omo-Agege

    By Yomi Odunuga

    The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege has congratulated Prof. Florence Banku Obi on her emergence as first female VC of Unical.

    The emergence of Professor Florence Obi as the first female Vice Chancellor-elect of the University of Calabar eloquently attests to the excellence of the womenfolk in higher institutions, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said.

    Last week, Professor Obi of the Faculty of Education broke a 45 year-old jinx by emerging the first female Vice-Chancellor-elect of the University of Calabar, Cross River State, beating 12 other candidates.

    She will take over from Professor Zana Akpagu, whose tenure ends on November 30, 2020.

    Omo-Agege who chairs the Senate Adhoc Committee on Constitution Review, described Obi as “an astute educational icon” even as he applauded the institution for its non-gender biased meritocracy.

    He urged her to build on the achievements of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Akpagu.

    The federal lawmaker prayed for the success of her tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

    “In spite of considerable challenges, Nigerian women have continued to demonstrate capacity and competence in various roles and it is no mere conjecture that if given the chance, capable women from the South-South zone and other parts of Nigeria can offer good leadership.

    “While congratulating the VC-elect and wishing her a successful tenure in office, I particularly commend the institution for its non gender-biased meritocracy,” he stated.