The Lumine News

Category: Education

  • Gov Otu Pledges To Review The Monthly Subvention To UNICROSS In The Light Of The Current Challenges

    Gov Otu Pledges To Review The Monthly Subvention To UNICROSS In The Light Of The Current Challenges

     

    Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, has disclosed that he is aware of the current challenges faced by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State and he will review the subvention to the University and will continue to work together with the Vice Chancellor to resolve all the issues.

    The governor made the commitment when he received the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Austin Angba, and his management team on a courtesy visit.

    According to Otu, a society’s academic foundation must be securely established for it to advance.

    “For any society to progress, the academic foundation must be solidly entrenched. That is why I facilitated the building of a befitting administrative block to provide the needed comfort for staff and lecturers.

    “My administration will continue to work to ensure that UNICROSS becomes one of the leading tertiary institutions in this country and beyond,” the governor said.

    In light of the current economic difficulties, Governor Otu indicated that he will review the monthly subvention to them to ensure some structural changes in the institution.

    “The challenges you face, I already know. We will review the monthly subvention in the light of current challenges and will continue to work together to resolve the issues.

    Speaking during the visit, the Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Prof. Austin Angba, while congratulating the governor on his assumption of office, commended him for facilitating the building of the administrative block of the university while serving as a senator, expressing confidence that he will do more as the Chief Executive of the state.

    “Many years ago I drove to UNICROSS and beheld the administrative block you facilitated when you were at the National Assembly. It speaks of a man who loves education. We thank you for facilitating that project, because we know that as governor, you will do more for the institution.”

    The VC disclosed that in recent ranking of universities, the University of Cross River State emerged as 7th Best University in Nigeria and 37th

  • UNICROSS Gets NUC Approval To Operate 17 New Courses

    UNICROSS Gets NUC Approval To Operate 17 New Courses

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted full accreditation to 17 undergraduate academic programmes at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS).

    The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Augustine Angba, made the disclosure during the 111th Regular meeting of the University’s Senate.

    Angba listed the approved programmes as:
    1. Broadcasting
    2. Journalism and Media Studies
    3. Marketing
    4. Animal and Environmental Biology
    5. Plant Science Advertisements
    6. Microbiology
    7. Library and Information Science
    8. Human Kinetics
    9. Information Systems
    10. Peace Studies
    11. Sociology
    12. Entrepreneurship
    13. Banking and Finance
    14. Software Engineering
    15. Early Childhood Education
    16. Economics
    17. Industrial Chemistry

    The approval of these programmes is an outcome of NUC’s Resource Verification visit to the University. The visit took place in April this year. The approved programmes are scheduled for commencement in the next academic session.

    This is another win for UNICROSS, following the recent ranking of the University by Times Higher Education as the 7th best in Nigeria and 37th in Africa, among 51 universities that were ranked in Sub Saharan Africa.

  • Children of Rural Africa Calls For Nomination For Her Annual HELP -A-KID Programme

    Children of Rural Africa Calls For Nomination For Her Annual HELP -A-KID Programme

    CORAfrica Annual HELP-A-KID Programme

    Children of Rural Africa Nigeria (CORAfrica) each year pledges to support vulnerable children/ students in our Annual HELP -A-KID Programme in Cross River State. The programme this year boasts the following categories:

    1. One hundred thousand naira only (#100,000.00) each to two (2) graduates who have successfully finished their studies and wish to start a small business.

    2. Fifty thousand naira only (#50,000.00) each to four (4) vulnerable undergraduate students, who are incapacitated and really need support to aid their education.

    3. Twenty thousand naira only (#20,000.00) each to ten (10) students who have just been admitted into a higher institution and need help to settle a pressing problem in the school.

    4. Ten thousand naira only (#10,000.00) each to twenty (20) students who wish to enter college or higher institutions but have no money to buy JAMB form, etc.

    5. Five thousand naira only (#5,000.00) each to forty (40) pupils who wish to pay school fees or exam fees or any pressing school need but have no money to do so.

    If you know of any child/student in any of the above categories who really need support, kindly nominate such. Beneficiaries will be subjected to our vulnerability checklist for consideration.

    You can as well nominate yourself, stating clearly your name, institution, and course of study.

    CORAfrica in the past has built, operated and handed over Ophanages, schools and a health centres both at Idum-Mbube in Ogoja Local Government Area as well as a Primary/Nursery School at Kakum in Obudu Local Government Area, to the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja.

    Between 2022 and 2023, CORAfrica provided educational support for over 1500 Cameroonian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Cross River, Benue, and Taraba States.

    Between 2020 and 2021, CORAfrica provided livelihood support for over 500 Cameroonian Refugees in Ogoja Local Government Area, Cross River State.

    CORAfrica is currently building an ultramodern classroom block for Cameroonian Refugees Children and the vulnerable children in the society, located at Adagom 3, Ogoja Local Government Area; with an enrollment of over 500 pupils with a bus conveying pupils to school and back home after dismissal.

    CORAfrica is also currently building an ultramodern primary and secondary school for vulnerable children in the society, located in Victoria village in Ikom Local Government Area; with an enrollment of over 300 pupils.

    CORAfrica has, through the Economic Empowerment Program (STAP-EEP), provided soft loans for youths, businessmen, and women at St Thomas Aquinas Parish Igoli-Ogoja

    CORAfrica facilitated and equipped a youth resource centre with a provision shop and sacramentals for the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON),

    Please kindly nominate a child/student for our Annual HELP-A-KID Prigramme. Nomination ends on Saturday, 27th May, 2023.

    For further inquiries, call:

    Elijah Ugani
    Programme Manager
    CORAfrica
    08121032474

  • CORAfrica Calls For Nomination For Her Annual HELP-A-KID Programme

    CORAfrica Calls For Nomination For Her Annual HELP-A-KID Programme

    CORAfrica Annual HELP-A-KID Programme

    Children of Rural Africa Nigeria (CORAfrica) each year pledges to support vulnerable children/ students in our Annual HELP -A-KID Programme in Cross River State. The programme this year boasts the following categories:

    1. One hundred thousand naira only (#100,000.00) each to two (2) graduates who have successfully finished their studies and wish to start a small business.

    2. Fifty thousand naira only (#50,000.00) each to four (4) vulnerable undergraduate students, who are incapacitated and really need support to aid their education.

    3. Twenty thousand naira only (#20,000.00) each to ten (10) students who have just been admitted into a higher institution and need help to settle a pressing problem in the school.

    4. Ten thousand naira only (#10,000.00) each to twenty (20) students who wish to enter college or higher institutions but have no money to buy JAMB form, etc.

    5. Five thousand naira only (#5,000.00) each to forty (40) pupils who wish to pay school fees or exam fees or any pressing school need but have no money to do so.

    If you know of any child/student in any of the above categories who really need support, kindly nominate such. Beneficiaries will be subjected to our vulnerability checklist for consideration.

    You can as well nominate yourself, stating clearly your name, institution, and course of study.

    CORAfrica in the past has built, operated and handed over Ophanages, schools and a health centres both at Idum-Mbube in Ogoja Local Government Area as well as a Primary/Nursery School at Kakum in Obudu Local Government Area, to the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja.

    Between 2022 and 2023, CORAfrica provided educational support for over 1500 Cameroonian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Cross River, Benue, and Taraba States.

    Between 2020 and 2021, CORAfrica provided livelihood support for over 500 Cameroonian Refugees in Ogoja Local Government Area, Cross River State.

    CORAfrica is currently building an ultramodern classroom block for Cameroonian Refugees Children and the vulnerable children in the society, located at Adagom 3, Ogoja Local Government Area; with an enrollment of over 500 pupils with a bus conveying pupils to school and back home after dismissal.

    CORAfrica is also currently building an ultramodern primary and secondary school for vulnerable children in the society, located in Victoria village in Ikom Local Government Area; with an enrollment of over 300 pupils.

    CORAfrica has, through the Economic Empowerment Program (STAP-EEP), provided soft loans for youths, businessmen, and women at St Thomas Aquinas Parish Igoli-Ogoja

    CORAfrica facilitated and equipped a youth resource centre with a provision shop and sacramentals for the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON),

    Please kindly nominate a child/student for our Annual HELP-A-KID Prigramme. Nomination ends on Saturday, 27th May, 2023.

    For further inquiries, call:

    Elijah Ugani
    Programme Manager
    CORAfrica
    08121032474

  • The Day-Long Nomination For This Month Koko Dan Cross River State Student Of The Month Is Now Closed – Koko Dan

    The Day-Long Nomination For This Month Koko Dan Cross River State Student Of The Month Is Now Closed – Koko Dan

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The initiator of “My Cross River State Student of the month”, Mr Koko Dan has announced closure of nomination due to large number of nominees.

    Mr Koko Dan made this known in a release he personally signed and made available to TheLumineNews.

    The release indicates that the number has been increased to three students, one per each senatorial district of Cross River State.

    The release reads in full: “The day – long nomination of this month koko Dan Cross River State Student of the month is now closed. Due to the large numbers of nominees.

    “I have decided to push the winners to three. ONE WINNER PER SENATORIAL DISTRICT. Covering Cross River North, Central and South.

    “Thank you all for your participation.
    God bless you.
    Great Cross River Students….. Great”.

  • Cross River State Students Hurry Now AsKoko Dan Initiates “My Cross River Student Of Month”

    Cross River State Students Hurry Now AsKoko Dan Initiates “My Cross River Student Of Month”

    By Elijah Ugani 

    A business tycoon, philanthropist and politician, Mr Koko Dan Esq, has instituted an initiative known as “My Cross River Student of the month”

    Koko Dan who took to his verified Facebook page to announce the initiative, invites students to nominate themselves as he will pick at random from any campus.

    The statement indicates that the winner will be announced on Friday this week and will receive an appreciable support of fifty thousand naira (#50,000.00) only.

    The release reads in full “My Cross River State student of the month is…..?

    “You are all free to nominate yourselves. Name and faculty.

    “I have the right to pick from the nominees or pick randomly from the campus.

    “The winner will be announced on Friday with an appreciational support of 50,000.

    “Goodluck…!”

    To participate, visit Koko Dan Facebook page and make your nomination.

  • UNICROSS VC’s FOTOS Pet Project, Refunds School Charges To 11 Students

    UNICROSS VC’s FOTOS Pet Project, Refunds School Charges To 11 Students

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State UNICROSS, Prof. Augustine Angba, has through his pet project, Feed One Train One Student (FOTOS) initiative refunded school charges of eighty thousand naira (#80,000.00) only to 11 students on their outstanding performance.

    The award was based on two categories of well behaved students and students with the highest Cumulative Grade Points Average CGPA in the most senior class of each faculty in the 2020/2021 academic session.

    The UNICROSS VC, had charged the newly admitted students during the combined matriculation ceremony, held recently across the faculties of the university to prioritize their studies as certificates are issued to students after graduation on the basis of having been found worthy in learning and character.

    To challenge his students to be more focused on their studies, Prof Austin Angba, decided to initiate the pet project to create an opportunity where student’s consciousness will be reawakened.

    The per project was initiated in November 2021 during his 1st year anniversary in office, and is meant to encourage student’s academic performance and moral conduct.

    Speaking with TheLumineNews,  Prof Angba noted that “I decided to initiate this pet project and keeping to my commitment to the students and the university at large, I  refunded school charges to 11 beneficiaries selected from the various faculties of the university. This is to challenge other students to take advantage of this opportunity”

    Prof Agba added that “To me, it is my little way of encouraging my students and I want to charge beneficiaries not to relent, as the reward for good work is more work. They should realize that all eyes are on them and they must not disappoint”

  • Shun Cultism, Examination Malpractice, UNICROSS VC Advises Students

    Shun Cultism, Examination Malpractice, UNICROSS VC Advises Students

    By Ada Wodu, Punch Newspaper

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State, Prof. Augustine Angba, has warned matriculating students of the institution to shun deviant behaviors such as cultism, exam malpractice, and stealing among others.

    He gave the warning on Thursday during the combined matriculation of students admitted in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 sessions at the institution’s main campus, Ekpo Abasi, Calabar.

    “Ensure to take your academic work seriously, shun cultism, stealing, examination malpractice, and all forms of deviant behaviors and other vices, and focus on why you are here. Remember that the university certificate is awarded based on character and learning. You are, therefore, advised to set your priorities right from the onset. If you miss it now, it will be difficult to correct the missing link,” he told the students.

    He reminded the students that the institution’s no fees, no examination policy was still in force.

    He added, “I further implore you to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations enshrined in the student’s handbook as this will help the university serve you better.”

    Professor Angba also said the Vice Chancellor’s pet scholarship project tagged ‘Feed one, train one student’ was still on.

    He said the program “offers scholarships to exceptionally intelligent students, indigent students and students who have seen to possess an outstanding character. You can earn yourself a scholarship from it.”

    He thanked The Visitor to the University, Governor Ben Ayade for his laudable contribution to the advancement of the university.

  • Convocation: UNICAL Seeks TETFUND Intervention On Building Of Library, Standard Senate Chambers 

    Convocation: UNICAL Seeks TETFUND Intervention On Building Of Library, Standard Senate Chambers 

     

    Prof. Florence Banku Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, has appealed to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to come to the aid of the university in building a befitting library and a standard senate building.

    Obi made the appeal on Friday in Calabar during the 35th convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar.

    The convocation was held for first degree graduates of the institution, masters, diplomas and postgraduate diplomas; while the award of doctorate degrees was scheduled for Saturday.

    She also called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to come to their aid in infrastructure development of the institution.

    “Much as we do our best to create the conditions for the university we desire within the context of our realities, we have to let you know that the institution is hamstrung largely by paucity of funds, and many other problems.

    “Most topical in the demands of the university is the provision of electric power which gulps a greater part of our internally generated revenue, leaving us struggling to meet other important needs.

    “We are also in need of a standard senate building befitting of a second generation university of our standing.

    “The university has for the past 2 years been without a central library due to a major structural defect which led to it being cordoned off following the advice of professionals in the building industry.

    “We appeal for a special intervention from TETFUND to urgently come to our aid as there is no university without a functional library,” she said.

    The VC also appealed to spirited individuals to intervene in the building of hostel accommodation for students of the institution.

    She noted that the university was ready to give all the cooperation to any individual or corporate body to achieve this.

    She said that the university, with a population of over 36,000 students, has only 2,400 bed spaces for the accommodation of students.

    “This accounts for less than 5 per cent against the National Universities Commission recommendation of 30 per cent of students that should be accommodated on campus,” she added.

    She disclosed that the university was awarding 5,445 first degrees and 171 diplomas to persons certified worthy in character and learning in keeping with the academic tradition.

    “Out of the 5,445 for first degrees, 11 persons distinguished themselves with First Class Honours, 1,062 with Second Class Upper Division, 3,647 have Second Class Lower Division, 721 got Third Class, while 4 have the Pass Degree.

    “The Diplomas are as follows: Distinction 2,
    Merit 111, Credit 45, Lower Credit 1, Pass 11 and Certificate of Attendance 1.

    “At the post-graduate level, we have 2,159 persons who have earned higher degrees and diplomas as follows: 553 PhDs, 1,104 Masters and 502 Post Graduate Diplomas,” she added.

    Also speaking, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, Chancellor of the university, urged the graduands to make the best choice of the path they have chosen to follow.

    Ado-Bayero, who is also the Emir of Kano, commended the VC for her outstanding leadership and for transforming the institution within the two years she assumed office.

    He assured the university management that his vision as Chancellor was to make the University the best university in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Also, Retired Gen. Martin Luther-Agwai, Pro-Chancellor of the University, said that the university was still grappling with inadequate facilities and funding.

    Luther-Agwai said that there was a need for the university to continue to institutionalize its relevance and civil engagement beyond the convocation ceremony to a more meaningful contribution to national development.

    He assured that the university council would work hand-in-hand with the management to address some of the peculiar challenges.

    One for the graduands, Mr Cleverty Njong, who had a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 5.00 in Law, Master degree, said his success came as a result of dedication and commitment to academic activities.(NAN)

  • UNICROSS Announces Combined Matriculation Ceremony

    UNICROSS Announces Combined Matriculation Ceremony

    By Mary Bassey

    The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has announced dates for the combined matriculation ceremony for its students.

    This was contained in circular number 385 informing students and the general public that the exercise will be for first-year students of the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic sessions.

    It noted that the matriculation is scheduled to hold on Thursday May 11, 2023, and Friday, May 12, 2023, across the four campuses in the State.

    The circular reads: “This is to inform all First Year Students of the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 combined Academic Session that the 20th Matriculation Ceremony in all programs of Cross River University of Technology has been scheduled to hold on Thursday 11th May 2023 and Friday 12 May 2023 respectively across all the campuses of the University.

    Advert by CRWatch :Place Yours

    “All the newly admitted students of the University should endeavor to pay their school fees before the date of Matriculation. Students who fail to pay their fees as directed will forfeit their admission to the University and will not be eligible for matriculation.

    “All concerned should note that; all year one students in Calabar and Obubra campuses shall attend their matriculation in Calabar campus on the 11th of May 2023.

    “All year one students in Ogoja and Okuku campuses shall attend their matriculation in Okuku campus on the 12 of May 2023.

    “All Faculty Officers of the various Campuses should ensure that this information is given wide publicity. They should also support all arrangements toward achieving a successful matriculation.

    “All Finance Officers are expected to facilitate payment of school fees as well as academic gowns by concerned students. Management looks forward to a hitch-free event,” the letter reads.”