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.
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.
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.
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”
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.
By Admin
Over the years, the Federal College of Education, Obudu has continued to pursue its core mandate. The mandate requires the College to produce highly trained teachers that would be committed to quality education, enhance the core values of the society and promote the socio-economic development of the nation.
Since inception in1982, the College has continued to produce graduates who are adequately prepared and are now contributing to the socio-economic and political development of the country. The College has remained on this path of growth through the commitment of her Governing Council, Management, Staff and Students who have always strived to sustain any recorded success that may have been achieved.
It has to be placed on record that the College was formally established in 1982. The founding father of the College, the very distinguished Senator, Dr. Joseph Wayas was the then Senate President and he caused the Federal Government of Nigeria to approve the establishment of this great institution Obudu local government area. With the institution on ground, the sleepy town of Obudu quickly turned around to become a cosmopolitan city and destination for harvesting intellectual and scholastic discourses.
Yearly, scores of acclaimed academics gather in the College for conferences, workshops and trainings. This has further enhanced the rating of the College as a foremost tertiary institution in the country.
While acknowledging the pioneering efforts of all past Provosts and administrators of the College, it must be pointed out that the current Provost, Prof. James Bassey Ejue, in spite of the debilitating challenges that he met on assumption, has turned around to become one of the greatest contributors to the development of the College.
The parameter for arriving at this conclusion was based on the prevailing situation of things when he arrived the College in 2016 at the peak of an economic recession in Nigeria and what the situation is today. Kindly join us to put some of these issues on the spotlight.
The issue of certification of graduates of the College had witnessed a lull from 2004. This was due to some bureaucratic bottle necks that were put in place at that time.
At the time Prof. Ejue assumed office, this situation had already started having some negative impacts on the psyche of both staff and students. In fact, public confidence had been lost. He immediately swung into action and virtually relocated to the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Abuja, where the necessary machineries were put in motion to facilitate the signing of the certificates by the Executive Secretary of the Commission. This singular effort led to the release of backlog of certificates from 2004 to 2013. This was however magical. Prompt release of students’ results is now a regular feature in the College.
Again, on assumption of Office, he profiled the staff and noted that though quite a few were ICT compliance, the level of appreciation by the generality of the staff was nonetheless very unsatisfactory. To stem this trend, the Provost quickly approached the Nigeria Communications Commission and requested that they train the staff of the College. It was on the strength of this request that the Commission engaged the Digital Bridge Institute to train the Staff of the College on Advanced Digital Appreciation Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI).
This was followed up by a donation of 110 computer laptops by NCC in 2017. And like Oliver Twist, the Provost continued to ask for more. The College had subsequently received further donations of 110 laptops in 2019 from same NCC with more Staff trained.
At the time of the establishment of the degree programme in the College, only two, out of the thirteen programmes were fully accredited. The other eleven were given provisional accreditations. This was not good enough for the new Provost. He caused the National Universities Commission to dispatch her accreditation team to the College. Today, all the thirteen degree programmes of the College are fully accredited.
The NCE programmes were also faced with the same challenges because the last accreditation was 13 years ago. He equally replicated the same feat. The 29 NCE programmes are now fully accredited. Ancillary to the above was the issue of the first NYSC mobilization for the degree students which was generating some tension at that time. Within a twinkle, the issues were resolved and the pioneer graduates joined their counterparts across the country in the service of their fatherland. This is now a regular feature.
It was mind boggling that proper Land survey was never carried out on the College after about 35 years of existence. Reasoning that after some time, it might be difficult to delineate the boundaries of the College, the Provost initiated actions which finally led to the formal survey of the main campus of the College.
Lack of corporate governance was also a big issue in the affairs of the institution. In compliance with relevant laws therefore, the Provost established the procurement Unit. He articulated the revival and sustenance of the F.C.E. consult which has gradually started yielding desired results.
The Provost has established a centre for Linkages and Development to attract and coordinate donor support. Little wonder that Dr. Richard Price, an American academic and charity benefactor has offered to donate an ultra-modern lecture theatre to the College.
The morale of staff was at its lowest ebb when Prof. Ejue assumed office. Various arrears of entitlements were owed staff. This affected the attitude of the workers in the performance of their duties. Prof. Ejue swung into action using his contacts, he facilitated the release and payment of the staff 2016/2017 salary shortfalls. He equally facilitated the release and payment of 2013/2014 and 2015 promotion arrears. This is in addition to the payment of various honoraria and allowances owed staff.
These however boosted significantly, the morale of staff. Still the Provost never rested on his oars.
In the area of infrastructural development, despite the paucity of funds, the Chief Executive equally kept eye on the ball. He undertook the following: Renovation and furnishing of the pre-NCE Block; Renovation and furnishing of Demonstration Secondary School Block; Comprehensive renovation of NCB Extension Classroom Block and School of Languages Block; Construction of one-storey 4-classroom Block with offices; completion of abandoned Fine and Applied Arts complex and resumption of work on abandoned Theatre Arts complex; and the comprehensive renovation of School of Languages Block. The Medical Centre which had remained comatose has also been rejuvenated and made functional for the use of the entire College Community. Now the Medical Centre is registered with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
The unbundling of TETfund projects, momentum of Project and infrastructural development even increased. These projects have greatly assisted to address the deficits in major areas of need. The award of contract for all the projects was holistic and it covers construction, equipment and furnishing. These projects include: Technical Education Workshop at the Bebi Campus; One storey Block for the School of Early Childcare and Primary Education; and another storey block for the School of Adult and Non-Formal Education.
Others are the 300 capacity Multipurpose Pavilion; Science Complex; a befitting School of General EducationComplex, a State-of-the-art gymnasium to replace the one that was destroyed by a devastating windstorm sometime: and a 250-capacity lecture theatre in Bebi campus.
Every area of need got the desired attention of the very hardworking Provost. The Chief Executive procured a brand new 14-seater bus and another set of three Toyota Hilux trucks to add to the available fleet.
To address the problem of unsatisfactory power supply, the Provost procured a 500KVA Generator as well as 10 other smaller ones. The administration also embarked on and completed the installation of Solar Street lights throughout the length and breadth of the College.
The human angle in all these was the construction of two blocks of 10 lavatories each in the main campus with borehole to reticulate water to the entire facility. This Project was indeed a priority project for obvious reasons.
The Chief Executive made a great impact in the area of sports development. Barely after hosting the NICEGA games in 2007, the facilities at the College Games Village were blown off by a devastating windstorm. The entire sports complex was affected by wear and tear. Looking at the austere state of the College, it was difficult to believe that the amiable Provost would think along the line of trying to rehabilitate the moribund facility. Interestingly however, he defied the odds and embarked on comprehensive rehabilitation of both the Spectator’s Pavilion as well as other facilities at the Games Village. It was no longer news that the 19th edition of the Nigeria Colleges of Education Games (NICEGA) tagged “Obudu 2019 was successfully hosted on this facility and it was adjudged as the best in the 40 years history of the games.
It must equally be reckoned that some intangible and sundry issues can even affect
the fortunes of every establishment. At the inception of Prof. Ejue’s Administration
the college had 29 Ph.D holders but presently the number has increased to 40, while 56 others are undergoing sponsored Ph.D Programmes and 38 undergoing Masters programmes both in Nigeria and abroad. The Provost equally ensured that attention is given to all areas in order to make sure that a conducive teaching and learning environment prevails in the College. For example, he inherited from his predecessors some issues of litigations against the institution. He drove the processes and facilitated the favourable resolution of those legal actions against the
College.
In the same vein, payments have been made for the settlement of various inherited liabilities to both staff and contractors.
No tertiary institution can be worthy of its name without functional and efficient library services. It was with the above mindset that the Provost embarked on the upgrade of the College library. It became a matter of deliberate policy to continually stock the library with more current books and journals; more furniture; and the Provost was also able to put in place an ultramodern e-library infrastructure. Likewise, all the science laboratories in the College have been equally upgraded. Even the language laboratory is not left out, as rehabilitation of the facility has been completed. This is in addition to the provision of classroom and office furniture worth over N100m to address acute shortages.
All these efforts have resulted in the return of high academic standards and the dividends are beginning to flow. For instance, the College debate team was 1st runners up and 2nd runners up in 2018 and 2019, respectively in inter-tertiary institutions debate competition.
Also, the college Demonstration Primary School Pupils emerged over-all best in the spelling and current affairs competition in the South-South Organized by Brilliance and Excellence.
To cap it all, an alumnus of the College, Mr. Francis Agakwu was adjudged as the over-all best at the last passing out parade of the Cadets of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). For a long time; this will continue to be a reference point on the commitment of the College to the realization of her mandate in the area of quality education.
Worthy of mention at this point is the great contribution of Sir Emeka Oftor Foundation in the upgrade of the College Library. The foundation had earlier donated over 700 volumes of books in different areas of study to the College, and later followed-up again with more book donations.
These donations of standard and current books were meant to equip the library and upgrade it to a standard that can be rated with other similar higher institutions in the country. The other reason was the immediate need to assist the College in her preparation and arrangements for both the degree and NCE accreditations which the College was expecting at that time. The foundation must certainly share a part in the success of the accreditation programmes of the College because of its timely intervention of donation of relevant books at that critical time. This contribution was fundamental to the overall success of the exercise and it must continue to remain in the front burner in the annals of important records of the College.
That is why the College will always remain eternally grateful to the vibrant and very dynamic Honourable, Sir Anthony Obi who is the Chairman of the very Foundation. He was the one that facilitated the donation of those books. He never considered the fact that the 6th Governing Council of the College, to which he was appointed Chairman was yet to hold its inaugural meeting. The newly appointed Chairman did a personal appraisal and identified this crucial area of intervention and immediately took an action that was indeed very proactive and helped to resolve one of the most fundamental problems of the College at that time.
The 6th Governing Council itself must be described as selfless, cooperative, and indeed highly impactful in the affairs of the College. The Council comprises of very patriotic men and women that are less concerned with the heights they have individually attained in the society, but are rather determined to continue to work and make positive impacts through their services to our great College. Without the support of this great body, this litany of achievements by the Provost would have been difficult to realize. Although, the Honourable, Sir Anthony Obi led Governing Council has worked with very little motivation, the Council however must be commended for being very supportive of these giant and noble strides of the College Management.
It is worthy of note that due to some legal hurdles, the College could not access funds from TETFund for physical development. However, now that Prof. Ejue’s dexterity has led to the resolution of those challenges, very soon the College is going to witness massive infrastructural development. Staff and Students are upbeat and optimistic that the lost glory of the College is back. No doubt, more challenges exist in the system. However, it would be proper to give Prof. Ejue a pat on the back as he bowed out of the system.
The college will miss this purpose driven and seasoned administrator, but wish him the very best in his future endeavors.
Public Relation Unit
FCE Obudu
September, 2020
By Admin
Indications are high that the Council Meeting heralding the selection of the next Vice Chancellor for the University of Calabar will take place in a few days and a front line contender for the position, Prof. Offiong Effanga Offing has released more facts to prove his argument as “the best, tested, experienced, exposed and a qualified candidate for the job”
In his seventeen page Curriculum Vitae, supported by a synopsis of his mission statement and vision for the university, as well as testimonials of his work history over the years are among the deliberate packaged materials in the hands of the Selection Council members which has made the strongest impression of his candidacy.
A source close to council maintained that “Council members are committed to ensuring the selection process and the final outcome would be the best for the university which indeed is what Prof. Offiong represents”.
Interacting with newsmen recently in Calabar over his aspiration to be the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Offiong had noted that if given the opportunity he was poised to make UNICAL one of the foremost Institutions of higher learning with global recognition because he is a true scholar.
His words, “A Vice-Chancellor should provide academic and a purpose driven leadership that us anchored on research, teaching, and community service. This will be of utmost priority under my leadership”, Offiong said.
Adding, “I will ensure the enabling environment for research and learning”
When asked how he intends to curb or eradicate social vices such as cultism and systemic corruption/malpractices, Prof. Offiong said, “Counselling and welfare are very important in addition to adequate security infrastructure. We will ensure Counseling is given proper attention and also institutionalize the committee management system at the University”
He explained that the committee system will be all encompassing within the University system as well give members of the university community a sense of belonging, involvement, and commitment to decisions taken.
“Before a decision comes to the University Senate, it must have benefited from a robust and quality assessment from the departments concerned”
Prof. Offiong who is contending for the same position with no fewer than ten other professors, is an astute Academic/ Researcher with over 70 Research articles, publications in peer-review journals cited in high impact databases.
He had his B.Sc. (Hon) degree in Chemistry 1984 from the University of Calabar where he graduated with Second Class (Upper Division).
In 1990 he obtained his Ph.D in Coordination/Inorganic Chemistry from the same department, University of Calabar supported by DAAD in Germany.
He has so far successfully supervised 7 Masters and 13 Ph.D. theses in the University. He had been Postgraduate/Undergraduate External Examiner in many Universities across the country and has served the University of Calabar in several capacities including; Sub-Dean, Faculty of Science, Dean, Faculty of Science, Dean of Students’ Affairs, Member, Governing Council of the University of Calabar (2000-2004), Chairman and Zonal Coordinator ASUU, National Vice President ASUU among others.
“Between 2007 and 2015, he served as Commissioner for Education in Cross River State.”
By Elijah Ugani
The decision by the Federal Government to resume school for examination classes across the country, has created more tension in the minds of parents following the rise in the incidence of positive cases of Corona Virus across the country.
Poised to create an enabling environment for pupils devoid of the risk associated the resumption of schools, the Executive Chairman of Obudu LGC, Hon. Boniface Eraye Ewhe today began sensitization of public primary schools in the LGA and distributed Infrared Thermometers and Personal Protective Equipments to help cushion the spread of COVID-19.
The exercise is solely the Chairman’s initiative to ensure the safety of pupils resuming for Common Entrance Examination preparatory classes in the LGA.
Speaking to Head Teachers, the Chairman held that “Since schools resumed, I have observed that not even the Federal or State Governments have come down to my LGA to sensitize these pupils resuming for school nor provide COVID-19 relief materials required for their safety while learning, so I took it upon myself to ensure that my children are safe in a conducive environment devoid of fears of COVID-19 spread”
The Chairman used the occasion to commend the efforts of the state governor, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade in the fight against COVID 19 in the state and call on all and sundry to support government in this fight through awareness creation.
Hon. Ewhe however called on head teachers in the local government area, traditional rulers, parents, Civil Society Organizations, leaders of thoughts and religious leaders to rise to the challenge of sensitizing the public given the available opportunity to ensure strict compliance with COVID 19 preventive protocols.
Reacting to the gesture, the head teachers and pupils lauded the Chairman’s gesture and thanked him for coming to their aid.
On his part, the Head Teacher of St. Patrick primary school Obudu, Mr. Joseph Akomaye noted that “Since school resumed, no one has come to us to ascertain how we are faring nor provide any aid, so we thank the chairman sincerely for this initiative and pray that the Almighty God will keep and reward him”
Similarly, the head teacher of St. Colman’s Primary School, Utugwang, Dr. Emmanuel Odu, thanked the council chairman for the interest shown in providing sanitizers, face masks and PPEs to his school and promise to complement the efforts of the chairman by ensuring strict compliance of COVID 19 preventive protocols by both pupils and staff of his school.
On their parts, Master Frank Ikwen of St. Patrick’s primary school Obudu and Miss Rejoice Eba of St. Colman’s primary school Utugwang, seperately thanked the Chairman for his benevolence and promised to become ambassadors and advocates of COVID 19 preventive measures, both at home and within the school premises.
Social distancing, regular hand washing, avoidance of frequent touching of the nose, eyes and mouth to prevent the spread of the pandemic were some of the preventive measures highlighted by the chairman.
HRH, Uti Eniemeh Abayam thanked the council Chairman for his kind gesture towards his people, especially the pupils in the primary schools who are presumed to be ignorant of the ravaging pandemic except for the fact that they are missing the school time, having stayed at home for a longer time, and may have had an impression that something unusual has happened.
The awareness/sensitization is to be extended to all primary schools in Obudu.
By Admin
Professor Offiong E. Offiong is a Professor of Inorganic Chemistry who is purpose driven to build on the legacies of past Vice Chancellors of the University of Calabar.
Prof. Offiong is poised to strengthen areas that may not have been given priority and adequate attention in the past.
University of Calabar, like some other varsities have other businesses which implies that the institution does not only teach Entrepreneurship education in theory, but the students have the opportunity to practice what they learn.
The University of Calabar currently produce UNICAL table water as a means of income generation. However, there are several ventures that have remained untapped and unexplored within the university system despite the available market opportunities.
Apart from the university’s core mandate of Academics, UNICAL houses several investments which can be liken to a jewel in her crown.
The University of Calabar is however in dare need of that leader who sees the multi-sectoral opportunities and has the the goodwill to explore and harness these opportunities to boost the internally generated revenue IGR to change the narratives of over-dependence on subvention from the federal government.
Prof Offiong is an Entrepreneur per excellent, and has prior to his ambition to serve the university in the position of Vice Chancellor, laid down plans to revamp UNICAL businesses.
It is imperative to note that this erudite Professor is integrity and humility personified, he is a man of his words, a trail blazer, a pathfinder, a social engineer and mobilizer of very high repute.
Prof. Offiong has all it takes to build, expand, sustain and reinvigorates university of Calabar ventures.
If competence, experience, track records and merit is anything to go by in the circumstance of the Vice Chancellorship appointment, the Governing Council of the University does not need to search further, as the quintessential Prof. Offiong’s intimidating CV and achievements which are visible and speaks volume and has eased the work for the Council.
Prof. Offiong is vested with the capacity, zeal, content, managerial, influential and managerial skills to consolidate on the virtues and gains of the past Vice Chancellor to move the University of Calabar to the next level.
We can only pray the Governing Council saddled with the onerous responsibility of appointing a Vice Chancellor, finds a trust worthy servant-leader, Prof. Offiong E. Offiong, the substantive 11th Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar.