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  • Text Of Press Conference By The University Of Calabar Vice Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi, On UNICAL At 50 & The 37th Convocation Ceremony Of The University Of Calabar

    Text Of Press Conference By The University Of Calabar Vice Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi, On UNICAL At 50 & The 37th Convocation Ceremony Of The University Of Calabar

    Gentlemen of the Press,

    It gives me great pleasure and joy to have you here again in the University of Calabar. I am profoundly grateful to you for bringing the wielding influence of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to the promotion and advancement of Project Unical. Right from the time that I was ushered into office as Vice Chancellor, you have stood firmly by me and never hesitated to take Unical to the world through your various modes of communication. On this particular occasion, I use this opportunity to appreciate your partnership, understanding, goodwill, concern and availability as veritable stakeholders and partners in progress. I would like this synergy to be sustained till my last day in office, and even beyond. I treasure your valued cooperation and welcome you specially.

    Today’s Press Conference is summoned to draw the attention of our various stakeholders and by extension the larger society to the oncoming historical, epochal, and unifying event which we have tagged “ Unical @ 50 and the 37th Convocation Ceremony”, a fusion of two large events for celebration within one week. The event is scheduled to begin from Monday, 17th March, 2025 and will run till Sunday, 23nd March, 2025.

    May I remind us that prior to this oncoming ceremony, we held a press conference as a university to intimate the larger society and the world that Unical is 50 years old. The event took place in the Council Chamber of the University on Tuesday, November 19th,2024. The Press Conference was followed with a Colloquium held at the Unical International Conference on February 12, 2025. The theme of the Colloquium was “University of Calabar and Its Contributions to National Development”. The discussants at the memorable event were notably members of the Unical Alumni who took out time to showcase the impact of the University on them, the host communities, the nation and the world. Suffice it to say, that the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey, who is here today, moderated the event and many of you participated in it.

    After those pre- anniversary activities, the University proceeded to organise a Meritorious Service Award Ceremony for Staff of the institution on March 13, 2025 for those who have served the University creditably over the years and have been part of the institution’s success story and legacy. The awards ceremony was unique as the present generation of staff were excited to see the 6th Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kevin Ogon Eta, and the first Dean of Science, Prof. Ulo Kponuko Enyenihi, among the golden awardees.

    On March 14, 2025, the University Community gathered again. This time, the convergence was at the Senate Chamber of the institution. The Alumni of the University gathered for a Round Table Interactive Session to discuss a given theme: “Repositioning the University of Calabar for Greater Output: 2025–2075”. The National President of Unical Alumni, Barr Paul Eshiemomoh; the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Prof Angela Oyo-Ita; and the erstwhile Registrar of the institution, Ambassador Gabriel Egbe, were the Lead Speakers.

    As we gather today, it is my responsibility as the current head of this 50- year old institution to provide essential information as to how the week-long event would run or be held.

    Immediately after this Press Conference, we shall be proceeding to the Main Gate of our prestigious university to commence the much awaited “Victory Walk”. As the Vice Chancellor favoured by God to be on the saddle at this time of the celebration, I will lead the way. My Staff, Students and Alumni will be part of the all-embracing exercise round the campus. It is labelled “Victory Walk” because the word ‘victory’ encapsulates our overall successes over the years, triumphs in our academic endeavours and the study arena, repeated multiple triumphs in the local, national and international space as well as the winning mentality which we have cultivated as an institution. That walk is a unifying initiative symbolic of our togetherness, strength and resilience over the years.

    On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, an Inter-Denominational Service would be held at the Unical International Conference Centre at 10am prompt. It has been our tradition over the years to collectively place God first in all our endeavours. A Servant of God, Rev Fr. Dr. Evaristus Bassey would be sharing insights from God’s Word with us on the topic “Our Hope Does Not Disappoint” (Rom 5:5). We are giving an open invitation to all who intend to share with us God’s abundant blessings. Come, let’s collectively seek the face of God for guidance and success.

    After the Service, focus will shift to the Open Pavilion, opposite the Medical Centre where the 2025 Convocation Research Fair and Exhibition would be flagged off by 11am. The Research Fair has been an integral part of our convocations, intended to showcase the rich academic and creative potentials of our University. Our various Faculties, Departments and Directorates will be on parade. At 50, we have so much to showcase. Investors, captains of industries, business moguls, bank executives and entrepreneurs would be there to see what we have and what will be of immense concern to them.

    Wednesday, March 19, 2025 is a day largely and essentially devoted to the promotion of Alumni activities. The meeting of Convocation (Alumni) will kick-start the day’s activities. It is a meeting strictly for every alumnus of the University of Calabar. The National President of Unical Alumni, Barr Paul Eshiemomoh is expected to preside over affairs. This meeting begins by 9am.

    At 11am, Alumni Reunion Activities (Unical @ 50) would take the centre stage at the students’ domain which has been named “Malabor Republic” over the years. We expect massive influx of Unical Alumni, Malabites and Malabresses into their most primary constituency, Malabor. They would be expected to engage the students and interact extensively with them. It is indeed a reunion, a time of seeing old colleagues and re-igniting the old and wonderful times when they were here as students. This event is undoubtedly one of the key highlights in the Unical @ 50 celebration. We are calling on all our alumni at home and abroad to take this seriously by being part of this momentous renewal and reaffirmation of the Malabitic Spirit.

    By 4pm, the curtain for the Research Fair and Exhibition would be drawn with the presentation of prizes at its closing ceremony.

    Thursday, March 20, 2025 offers us a day loaded with pivotal activities.
    The first event for the day is the 50th Anniversary and Convocation Lecture. This lecture would be delivered by one of our chosen University Ambassadors, the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. He would be speaking on the topic, “Our Gown in Town and in Cyberspace: Sustainable and Human Centred Education, the Mandate of our University, 2025-2075”.

    The lecture would commence from 11am prompt. The venue for the event is the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), Summit Hills, Calabar.

    The event would be chaired by the former Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lafia, and Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), and also the immediate past and first female President of the Nigeria Academy Of Science, Professor Ekanem Ikpi Braide.

    Still at the same venue, another pivotal ceremony would commence at 2pm prompt. It is: “Awards and Fund Raising”.
    This administration under my leadership has in the course of the last four years in every convocation given awards to deserving Staff of the University of Calabar to appreciate their service to the institution.

    An added dimension to the award category this year would be the presentation of awards to some notable alumni of the University of Calabar and a few outside the University who have distinguished themselves in their service to mankind.

    We also intend to use the occasion to raise funds to improve and respond to the infrastructural demands of our institution, coming on the heels of demographic and curricular expansion. We need to get ready for NUGA 2026. The institution needs a better and sophisticated Medical Centre. The University is developing very fast with a steep increase in student population. More classrooms, teaching and learning facilities and hostels are needed; and the sprawling University Library Building is need of structural rehabilitation.

    A Command Performance at 6pm would round-off the events for the day.

    Friday, March 21, 2025 is the day set aside for the Award of Masters, First Degrees & Diplomas/Induction into Unical Alumni.

    The event is slated for 11am at the Abraham Ordia Stadium, University of Calabar.
    A total of 13,610 students are expected to be part of this convocation ceremony. A breakdown shows that the Diplomas students are 181 in number, First Degrees 11,725, Masters Degrees 876, PhD 572, PGD 249 and Postdoctoral Diploma in Education 7. Further breakdown shows 66 First Class, 3,054 Second Class Upper Division, 7,450 Second Class Lower Division, 925 Third Class and 7 Pass.
    As expected, we shall be awarding degrees to those who have been found worthy in character and learning. The event would be marked by formal induction into the Unical Alumni.

    Prior to this event, would be the Commissioning of Projects.
    Some projects would be commissioned by 9am. The projects billed for commissioning are:
    i. Unical Hall of Fame and Multipurpose Auditorium
    ii. The College of Education Complex
    iii. Fire Service Station/Fire-Fighting Truck
    iv. Pharmaceutical and Medical Pharmacy Building and
    v. Faculty of Pharmacy Administrative Building

    The last event for the day is the Graduate School Dinner for Ph.D. Graduands with their Supervisors.

    This commendable initiative of Management and the College of Postgraduate Studies began at the 36th Convocation in 2024, where it was first observed. It is a platform for appreciation of mentorship, interaction and renewal as well as merriment. It is billed for 6pm at the Cross River Community Hall in the University of Calabar.

    Saturday, March 22, 2025 is the last day of the Convocation. It is the day billed for the award of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degrees, Honorary Doctorate Degrees (Honoris Causa), Investiture of Emeritus Professors and Induction into Unical Alumni

    ….… number of students drawn from various departments and disciplines are expected to convoke at the event. As an institution, we will continue to produce sound and globally competitive Ph.D. graduands, with the fervent hope that the knowledge, wisdom and confidence they have gained will positively impact and transform society.

    This memorable event, which is the last under my administration as the 11th Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, will also feature the investiture of Emeritus Professor on 3 highly acclaimed professors of the University of Calabar, whose intellectual contributions to their disciplines and the institution are widely acknowledged. The decision to accord them this special recognition has been endorsed by the Senate of the institution. The recipients of the award are: Prof Ekanem Ikpi Braide of the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Prof Eme Effiom Osim of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and Prof Chris Nwamuo of the Faculty of Arts.

    Aside the Emeritus Professorship, Honorary Awards would also be conferred on 6 deserving Nigerians who have made landmark contributions, shaped the landscape and impacted lives in service to their motherland.

    The list include the following:

    Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio (D.Educ Mgt)
    H.E. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (D. Pol.Sc)
    H.E. Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu (D. Pol Sc)
    Maj. Gen. (rtd.) Moses Bisong Obi (D. Peace & Conflict Studies)
    Hon. Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, JSC (D. Laws.)
    Prince Arthur I. Eze (D. Bus Mgt)

    The Convocation event would commence from 11am prompt at the Unical International Conference Centre.

    Sunday, March 23, 2025

    The 50th Anniversary/Convocation would come to a close with a Thanksgiving Service at St Paul’s Parish, University of Calabar on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 9am prompt.

    We would be going back to church to render our gratitude to God for seeing us through the entire events.

    I thank you all for your presence and precious time which mean your willingness to give this event the wider publicity that it deserves.
    God bless you all.

    Prof. Florence Banku Obi
    11th and Golden Jubilee Vice Chancellor
    University of Calabar

    17th March, 2025.

  • Stampede: No Life was Lost, says UNICAL VC

    Stampede: No Life was Lost, says UNICAL VC

    Following the recent stampede that occurred on Tuesday 25th February, 2025 involving students who were scheduled to write examination in the Department of Chemistry, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, has confirmed that contrary to the information in circulation by some news merchants, claiming that two students: ‘a male and a female’ involved in the sad incident died, no student was actually dead.

    The VC made the clarification while responding to concerns raised regarding the incident.

    “Yes, we confirm that the was a stampede when some of our students were scheduled to write CHM 101 in the Department of Chemistry which is a general course for most students in sciences”.

    “This sad and avoidable incident happened when those scheduled to write in the morning were unable to turned up for their examination and thereafter started struggling their ways with those scheduled for afternoon. Officials on ground struggled to manage the situation, but the students were obviously unruly, but none of them lost their lives either in the process or in the hospital. I visited those who were rushed to our medical center and I’ve been following up with every process and all of them have been discharged”, she added.

    On the information making the round on different platforms that two of the students involved were already dead. The VC dismissed the information, adding that it is a handiwork of mischief makers and fake news purveyors while urging the public to disregard such information and contact only the relevant information unit of the university.

    Earlier, the Head of Department, Pure and Applied Chemistry, Prof. Grace Iniama stated that the course is taking by 49 departments and more than 7,000 students registered for it.

    “Everything was going smoothly until it started raining. The examination was scheduled for 8:00am to 6:00Pm. The students who were already writing were unable to come out of the hall and those outside started struggling to enter the hall without following the time they were scheduled for the exam”.

    “This was the reason we employed CBT method which affords students a seamless opportunity to enter the examination hall and write at their scheduled time and leave, but the students became unruly and beyond the control of the officials on ground to handle. Some of them eventually sustained bruises because of the continued pushed and fall, but I thank God for the timely arrival of the university ambulance which conveyed them immediately to the medical facilities”, she said.

    When contacted, the Director of the institution’s Medical Center, Dr. Etta Williams, said he got a call from the VC asking for an immediate dispatch of ambulance to convey the victims to the facility which he did and the students have been discharged from their facilities.

    Dr. Etta however added that it is laughable to read from different social media handles that two of the victims died in their facilities.

    “It is not true that two victims of the stampede in UNICAL died. It is even more laughable that it has been reported by some individuals and organizations without any finding. There’s no atom of truth in the news. We intervened immediately and conveyed them to our facilities. Some walked in here by themselves. Some had impending medical conditions which was prompted by the crowd”.

    “One was an epileptic patient; two were referred to Unical Teaching Hospital for X-ray but have been discharged. Most of them got stabilized that day and were discharged, but those with impending medical conditions were kept behind for further examination and have been discharged”, he added.

  • Four Years After, UNICAL Staff Employed By Past Admin Remain At Home BY INYALI PETER 

    Four Years After, UNICAL Staff Employed By Past Admin Remain At Home BY INYALI PETER 

     

    Four years after, majority of the people that were legitimately employed one year to the end of the past administration at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) are still at home as the current management has blatantly refused to allow them work or complete documentation. This is despite the fact that the same administration is being investigated for allegedly inputting names into the payroll.

    It’s sad to see the level of vindictiveness displayed by the current administration, which seems to be targeting the former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu. But 99.9% of the affected staff are not related to the former VC and are innocent victims. Why not wear a human face and allow them complete documentation and commence work? These people will be paid with government funds not anybody’s personal resources.

    Besides, this administration is winding down already. A new Vice Chancellor will be appointed in the next ten months. Why not bring them now to work after all, if you consider them liabilities, your administration have escaped the liabilities for four years?

    Till date, UNICAL remains the only university in Nigeria with this problem. For those of us who understand the context of the recruitment when the federal government insisted on IPPIS, we will never understand the explanation on why they were stopped from working even though their appointment letters are valid.

    Nevertheless, despite the efforts of the management to get the former governing council to invalidate the appointment letters, the Chairman insisted that such recruitment happened across all universities including Northern universities. Therefore, he couldn’t in good conscience, preside over a session that would take such wicked decision against innocent people. Yet, the management has maintained its stance that these people must remain at home!

    What level of inhumanity is this? It is really unfortunate that this iniquitous action is being meted on innocent Cross Riverians by a fellow Cross Riverian.

    I appeal to the Vice Chancellor or those who have her ears to persuade her to end on a more positive note than she started by inviting these innocent people who are only victims of vendetta to complete their documentation and resume work. Even if payment will be delayed till the end of her tenure, let it be that government’s owing them.

    Similarly, because the majority of those affected are Cross Riverians, I urge Governor Bassey Otu to invite the Vice Chancellor for a discussion with a view to resolving this issue. This is what we see happening n other states. Our leaders should not turn a blind eye to this situation since it is a federal institution. If there’s a breakdown in law and order from this situation now, it’s the state that’ll be the most affected.

    The VC needs all the help now to end her administration in a way that posterity will judge her aright.

    Inyali Peter, Ph.D.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Inyali Peter, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

  • We Came To Hand Over The Affairs Of Our University To God – UNICAL VC

    We Came To Hand Over The Affairs Of Our University To God – UNICAL VC

     

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar has stated that the essence of the institution’s Solemn Assembly is to hand over the affairs of the management of the citadel of learning to God.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi stated this at a service tagged “Solemn Assembly 2024″ with the theme titled ” Walk with Me Oh Lord” held at the Unical International Conference Centre.

    Prof Florence Obi said that though it has become a tradition to seek God’s presence, intervention and blessings at the beginning of every semester and session, there was a need for staff and students to personalize the theme which indicates the intention of the institution to walk with God and align with his ways.

    She thanked God for sparing the lives of staff and students and charged the duo to continue to uphold the good name of the University and also commended the Guest Speaker for accepting the invitation to share God’s precious words with the institution.

    In his homily, the Guest Speaker, Rev Fr Francis Agantiem Eworo speaking on the theme “Walk with Me O Lord” said that God is ever prepared to walk with any individual or community if they are not distant from him.
    Rev Fr Francis Eworo said for the walk to be enabled, men must repent of their sins, renounce evil, and turn back to God, changing their minds and direction.

    Fr Eworo who focused his message on the book of Isaiah 1 described many assemblies of humans today like that of Israel during the time of the Prophet Isaiah as one which were simply religious but did not know God.

    The clergyman said many worship assemblies are breeding rebellion and have become detestable to God.

    He called on all staff and students to begin a needful walk with God, listen to and enjoy his company, align with his will and consequently produce much Christian fruit from their lives.
    The well-attended solemn assembly had Principal officers in attendance as well as Deans, Directors, Heads of departments, students and a team of clergy who officiated at the service.

  • UNICAL Students Protests Hike In School Charges

    UNICAL Students Protests Hike In School Charges

    Students of the University of Calabar have taken to the streets to protest a hike in the charges levied by Varsity’s management.

    The students gathered at the Malabor Square which houses the Students Union Government secretariat and moved to the female hostels bearing placards.

    They marched from the areas where hostels are situated, popularly referred to as ‘Malabor Republik’ as their numbers increased via the Senate building and currently occupy the roundabout next to the main gate which connects Etta Agbor Street and Mary Slessor Avenue.

    Some of the placards with various inscriptions read: “Florence Obia, UNICAL is not a private university, which one is ‘slight increment’, say no to billing”, “UNICAL VC, stop forcing girls into prostitution”, “this is a federal university, not a business center,” among others.

    Meanwhile, there were alleged sporadic gunshots within the school environment on Sunday 3rd December 2023 at about 8:30 pm.

    While our reporters keep tabs on the situation, vehicles have diverted to other routes as the Etta Agbor Road and Mary Slessor routes have been blocked.

    The versity management had over the weekend reached the decision to increase tuition fees.

    In the statement by the University’s Information Officer, Mr Effiong Eyo, the upward review of the tuition fees was taken at an emergency meeting of the University Senate on Friday.

    The release stated that the implementation of the upward review takes effect from the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions.

    Findings showed that with the increase fresher’s, returning students and the final year students for the non science courses are expected to pay N111,000, N91,500 and N114,000 respectively.

    They are also required to pay N36,500, N21,500 and N21,500 respectively as third parties dues.

    Students in the science courses are expected to pay N155,000, N125,000 and N148,000 respectively for fresher’s, returning students and final year students. They are also to pay N38,500, N21,500 and N21,500 respectively as third parties dues.

    However, in the early hours of Monday, Student’s of the institution took placards with various inscription to protest the hike of tuition fees as well as other charges asking the management to rescind its decision.

    Some of the inscriptions include, return to the old fees, bring back our old fees/ charges , We can’t afford the news fees, UNICAL SUG , wake up ” amongst others.

    Findings reveled that previously, tuition fees for an average student, depending on the department, was N64, 050 for fresher’s, N52,050 for final year and N49,500 for the returning students.

    The management explained that the increment was necessitated by the current economic realities and the need to maintain the academic standard which the University was known for.

  • Students Refutes Prof Ojua’s Release, Insists That GSS Examination Was Not Properly Organized, Poorly Administered And Tailored Towards Sorting

    Students Refutes Prof Ojua’s Release, Insists That GSS Examination Was Not Properly Organized, Poorly Administered And Tailored Towards Sorting

    By TheLumineNews Admin

    Controversies continued to trail the press release issued on Saturday November 11th 2023, by the University Director of General Studies (GSS), Prof Takim Ojua, after the stampede that occurred during Saturday November 11th GSS examination.

    Some of the students that claimed anonymity argued that both the planning and administration was riddled with levity by the handlers of the examination, which was mischievous, mundane, anachronistic, unjust and discriminatory with the purpose of making students failed so that they can extort money from them.

    Students wondered why a very sensitive issue of such magnitude could be trivialized as seen in the press release by Director of GSS, Prof Takim Ojua, instead of apologizing to the oppressed students.

    Recall that on Friday 10th November, 2023, when a similar examination was supposed to be conducted at ICT center, reports had it that the SERVICOM Director of the institution, Prof Patrick Egaga, in company of the Chief Security Officer, Capt Abang (RTD), defied the heavy flood around the vicinity of the examination, and armed with directives of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi, had advised that the said exams conducted under a porous, flooded and unsafe atmosphere should be cancelled, for a later day to be fixed for the safety of the students and integrity of the University. Curiously, our reporter discovered that the examination was stopped temporarily, obstensibly, because of their presence, but as soon as the duo left the venue of the questionable examination, which they described as “unsafe, poorly managed and improperly organized and administered”,
    the “organizers” rebuffed and flouted the VC’s directives, properly conveyed and went ahead with the examination, to achieve a sinister purpose maybe.

    Prof Ojua’s release reads in parts, “On Saturday, the 11th of November, 2023, University of Calabar students who were scheduled to write Computer Based Test (CBT) GSS Examination, set out to write their exams without any premonition that the exercise will be marred by an unfortunate incident of Stampede casualties, leading to the indefinite suspension of the examination as a result of some medical emergency.

    “Unfortunately, some people saw the incident as an avenue for making headlines and attracting traffic to their platforms and blogs. While some built on hurried publications and posts to re-create stories, others merely found new opportunities to further their negative publicity on the University of Calabar in such a critical time of the life of the University. In all of these, facts were misrepresented, skewed and disseminated, with brazen misinformation about what exactly happened. Based on the high level of misconception and misconstruction of the facts, the Directorate of the Center for General Studies (CGS) deemed it necessary to set the following records straight”.

    Reacting to the release, an anonymous student maintained that the Director has acquissed that the Examination was marred by an “Unfortunate Incident” the honorable thing he will have done was to accept his incompetence and inadequacy and appeal to Administration to cancel the questionable Examination in entirety.

    Another student, Paul Ebube (not real name), said that the GSS Director was in a haste to defend his shortcomings.
    The student noted that, going by the release, the Director is yet to mention some of the media houses or blogs that reported death of students during the stampede, instead of crating a non-existing situation to gain public sympathy. Moreover, he questioned, “is he the spokesperson of the University?”

    The student insisted that poor management and greed is the major cause of the stampede as the school security that assisted in the management of GSS examination is alleged not to have been paid their remuneration for the previous examinations and as a result, the directorate of GSS resorted to using extraneous Man’O’War to assist in coordinating the examination.

    Prof Ojua’s release further reads, “That the Exams of Friday, the 10th of November 2023 started successfully by 8am, until the heavy rain and storms began at about 10am, causing the stoppage of the examination until the rain and flood subsided at about 3pm, when some students returned to write the exams till about 5pm. And while it was raining, and flooding heavily, a group of students rather than move out of the rain to take refuge on nearby buildings, preferred to stand in the rain despite pleas and announcements from the staff of the Center, man O’War and security men”.

    “So why did the corrupt Director not mention anything about the GST exam of Friday Nov 10 conducted under threat of students and staff safety and inside a raging flood that ravaged the University Neigbourhood?”, a female student queried.

    Another student who also claimed anonymity, berates the GSS Director for failing to provide the leadership he was appointed to give to the directorate and wondered what preventive measures were put in place (rescheduling examination for those that missed due to heavy rainfall), when the rain had disrupted the examination between 10:00am and 3:00pm scheduled for Friday 10th November, 2023 as he rightly reported.

    The student insisted that what is of utmost importance in the circumstance is the alternative plans for those students who had missed the examination at the period of the stoppage due to the heavy rain, and how the students failed to comply with such directives.
    The students also wondered why Prof Ojua, insisted on continuing with the examination even against the directives of the Vice Chancellor.

    This student averred that “examination is time bound. The Director may have collected monies from some students and he was doing everything humanly possible to administer the examination to enable him protect the interest of those he may have collected monies from.

    The director’s release further reads, “That the examination of Saturday, the 11th of November 2023, started smoothly, with the 3rd set, almost concluding, before students who either missed exams, were not scheduled to write in the morning or were not even part of the examination, became unruly, uncontrollable, impatient, defiant, by wanting to break into the exam venue forcefully”.

    Another anonymous student held that, “What happened at the gate is that we were scheduled to write examination at a particular time, but the directorate don’t keep to the time. Anytime you come, once you can pay #200.00 to some Man O’War, they will allow you to enter, so entering into the examination center with up to four or five faculties scheduled for a day, becomes survival of the fittest. Those that missed examination on Friday and those who were scheduled for Friday all came out and were struggling to access the examination centre.

    Reacting to the issue of those who missed the examination on Friday, the student noted that, “when students missed examination the previous day on account of the rain, which wasn’t their fault with no information regarding rescheduling of the examination, what do you expect? Some of us felt that since we missed the examination on Friday, we were now supposed to have taken the examination on Saturday. This led to overcrowding of the gate and couple with the partiality shown by allowing some students into the examination centre while others are kept waiting”.

    In another development, Prof Ojua stated thus, “That the Examination was scheduled in batches, with specific faculties scheduled to write on stipulated time and dates. Unfortunately, some students refused to abide by the Time Table Schedule and rather decided to gate- crash by forcing the gate to open, resulting in the avoidable, unfortunate and regrettable incident”.

    Another student argued that if the Director was serious as he claimed, he should make public the planned time table for the examination showing clearly, the various faculties, considering the number of departments and students who register for the GSS examination.
    He regretted the vulnerability of students who are always at the receiving end of poor planning on issues that concerns students and situations like this unforseen circumstance, instead of Prof Ojua to come clean and take responsibility for his inadequacies, he rather wants to use the students as scapegoats.

    Ojua in his release also stated, “That the essence of the introduction of the GSS CBT exams by the school management was to ensure fast service delivery, easy access to examination and results and to reduce the stress on students during examination periods”.

    Another student wondered why the CBT that was created to reduce the stress on students during examination periods, has turned to triple the stress of students under his watch.
    This student opined that the appointment of Prof Takim Ojua is a misnomal with the introduction of CTB. He alleged that Prof Ojua is not even ICT compliant, and called on the university management to restore the integrity of the university.

    The release further reads, “Students are therefore advised to travel as the exams has been suspended till further notice”.

    A four hundred level student of the faculty of law wondered if the university is still guided by administrative laws. He expressed surprise why the GSS Director, Prof Takim Ojua still talk about suspension of the examination instead of outright cancellation in line with the VC’S directives.

    Some other students have alleged that they are made to pay between 10 to 15k as sorting fee before they can pass the GSS examination and likened the shattered preparation and administration of the examination to aid the sorting process. ” No need reading for GST or attending classes. Pay direct to the Director and your grade is guaranteed ” said Emem Ekanem (not real name).
    An anonymous female student alleged that the Director is “presently using part of his official office as a branch of his Church”. “He collects sorting as tithes and promises those who attend protection and good grades”. “He is even bold to tell you he makes returns to administration, he is in charge of uploading of GST results and nothing can change it as he and the VC hail from the same LGA”.
    So far, nothing has been heard from the University Management in connection with this embarrassing sham as the students wait for “Godot”.

    See some reactions and comments of some the students on the press release by the Director of GSS as was shared by Nsikak Ibatt on his verified Facebook page.

    See link https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02fvqu1PPoG1bd2u8CTN3ZinnBU86wVarDmeDLLfSLvXfSvZVKhcN19irag1JV8i7dl&id=100004199258282&mibextid=Nif5oz

    Kandy Umoh said: This man just said nonsense

    Cletus Asuquo said: E go explain tire

    Joe Cassy said: Blames always on d students…

    De Cen Cy said: Let him go and sit down. Such a glorified writer.
    This and many more are some of the consequences of being greedy. Just feeling for the victimized individuals.
    For crying out loud, everyone knows that for the past three years, the school has become overly populated yet, the management keeps admitting millions of applicants to the detriment of students even when its obvious that the school doesn’t have enough resources to carter for the well-being of these ones.
    Unical is among the first five most populated university in Nigeria with the poorest management yet they are less concerned about covering up her lapses.

    Mc Nawe ll: Thunder go f.ire am

    Richard said: Anything that happens in a any higher institutions is always the fault the of the students
    Meanwhile the the management are always right , even tho 95% of those plans have lapses
    Isortry
    🚶🚶🚶🚶

    Louiz Dominic said: Nah students 💯

    In another development, the Chairman, Forum of Faculties Presidents University of Calabar and President, Faculty of Clinical Science, Comrade Emmanuel Oshie, has called on the University management to investigate EDC and GSS on report from students that they are mandated to buy an imposed textbook from lecturers for assessment.

  • UNICAL VC Receives Report Of Investigation Panel

    UNICAL VC Receives Report Of Investigation Panel

     

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi has formally received the report of the Investigation Panel set up to probe allegations of improprieties levelled against the suspended Dean of Law, Prof Cyril Ndifon.

    Receiving the report in a brief presentation ceremony in her office, the Vice Chancellor
    commended the Panel members for their effort and commitment towards the achievement of
    a thorough and objective report within a short period of time.

    She said though Management has not gone through the report, she knows the report will be
    useful to the University and it will help the University achieve the needed closure to the subject matter and consequently move forward.

    Prof. Obi who reiterated her happiness over the sacrifice and show of commitment by the Panel, assured that, the report will be presented to the Ministers of Education and that of Women Affairs as well as, Executive Secretary of NUC as delivered by the Panel, “nothing added, nothing removed”. On the scale of mixed comments in the public domain which has trailed the reportage of the subject matter, the Vice Chancellor said the report of the Panel would serve as the mouthpiece of the University to all.

    On the capacity of the panel members, the University helmsman stated that they were
    carefully selected based on their offices, position and credibility, describing them as individuals full of capacity and integrity.

    In her words; “I wanted someone who cannot be influenced, and on behalf of the University
    Management, I want to thank the Chairman for accepting to head this Panel. I want to also
    thank every member of the Panel. To take the University higher we need men and women who are credible”, she added.

    The Vice-Chancellor said it was very unusual to have an External Observer for any investigation
    in the university but, because of the sensitive nature of the issues raised and the personalities involved, Management had to make an exception. presenting the report, the Chairman of the Panel, Prof. Dorothy Oluwagbemi Jacob said the Panel was sent on an errand, on a fact-finding mission and collectively, they came to present
    their findings.

    In her words, “We went out of our way to investigate the issues point by point. We did not rely on hearsay. We did the work objectively. We allowed all stakeholders to speak their minds. Every finding has evidence with verification. The result was not made up or cooked. Every fact here can be verified”.

    She used the occasion to commend Members of the Panel for their cooperation, time and commitment towards the success of their mandate, adding that, should anyone find the report beautiful, it is because of the collaborations of the professionals involved.

    Public Relations Unit.

  • UNICAL Bags JAMB’s Award, Emerges Best In South-South Nigeria

    UNICAL Bags JAMB’s Award, Emerges Best In South-South Nigeria

     

    The University of Calabar has bagged an Award of Bronze, coming 3rd in the nation and 1st in the South-South geopolitical zone following the just concluded JAMB Equal Opportunity Group’s (JEOG)National Conference held in Abuja.

    The event which took place on Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th September 2023, at the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel, had the University of Ilorin and Nnamdi Azikiwe’s University taking first and second positions respectively in the nation’s Universities with high equal opportunities to higher education.

    The conference which has the theme: “Towards Increasing Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education in Nigeria”, was aimed at boosting the enrollment opportunities of persons with disabilities in the Nigerian tertiary education system.

    It is instructive to note that the administration of Prof. Florence Banku Obi has overtime among others, given special recognition to persons with disabilities in the University of Calabar. This has most recently earned her an outstanding award of patronship from the group.

  • UNICAL VC Condemns Assault On Students, Calls For Immediate Investigation

    UNICAL VC Condemns Assault On Students, Calls For Immediate Investigation

     

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi has in strong terms condemned an alleged assault on students of the Institution by a suspected Lecturer.

    In a video clip that surfaced online on Sunday night, a suspected Lecturer in the Institution was seen flogging a group of students who were gathered around an entrance to a classroom with a belt.

    According to reports, the students were students of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences who were waiting for their practical before the unfortunate incident occurred.

    The Vice-Chancellor who is currently on official function outside the state said her attention has been drawn to the said clip, but the Acting VC, Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita, Director of ServiCom, Prof. Patrick Egaga, Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. Tony Enyang and the Acting Chief Security officer of the Institution, Capt. Austine Bisong(rtd) are already handling it.

    Prof. Obi who condemned the incident said it was unprofessional and against the University’s rules of engagement. She however appealed to the students and the general public to maintain calm as justice would be served as investigation had commenced already.

  • TIFUH Berths In UNICAL As VC Seeks Robust Collaboration

    TIFUH Berths In UNICAL As VC Seeks Robust Collaboration

     

    A Study Center under the aegis of the Institute for Universal Harmony (TIFUH) has berthed in the University of Calabar( Unical), just as the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Florence Obi is seeking a robust collaboration with the Center.

    Speaking at the institution’s Senate Chamber during the inauguration and launching of TIFUH Study Center, the Vice Chancellor commended TIUFH for finding Unical worthy of collaboration, saying the institution was looking forward to deepening and sustaining the partnership.

    DVC (Admin) Prof Eno Grace Nta
    Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration,Prof.Eno Grace Nta, the Vice Chancellor applauded TIFUH for choosing Unical as the host study center, saying the center will contribute immensely towards the promotion of peace and harmony in the various strata of the society.

    She said, “I congratulate and thank TIFUH for choosing University of Calabar as a worthy partner for this quest for peace in our community and the nation.

    “We believe that this relationship will yield lot of dividends in terms of how our students will develop, due to the fact that our degree is based on character and learning”.

    The University helmsman also reiterated her administration’s commitment towards providing a conducive environment for the Center to achieve it’s laudable goals, adding that, ” we will make sure the University facilities are available for the institute, you have not made a mistake in collaborating with unical.”

    Also speaking, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu described peace as an indispensable factor for the growth and development of any nation.

    Represented by the State Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Odey, the Governor commented TIFUH for establishing the study centre, saying the society is currently facing a lot of crisis hence the need to have professional peace ambassadors to help curb the menace.

    He assured the Institute of his total support to enable them produce managers that can address the issue of conflict management in the society.

    While charging TIFUH to engage people with proven integrity, the Governor said, “engage managers that will be consultants and advocates of peace in our society.”

    The Chairman of the occasion and Founder of Christian Central Chapel, Bishop Emmah Gospel Isong said no nation can achieve sustainable development without peace.

    Represented by the Chaplain of TIFUH, Apostle Dr.Glory Udoema urged everyone to be advocate of peace as only peace can bring meaningful progress in the society.

    He commended TIUFH for seeking to promote peace in Cross River State which is already touted as a peaceful state.

    Earlier, in her welcome address, the National President of TIFUH, Prof Mrs Akon Esu, said she was delighted over the birth of the institute particularly at a time when conflict is ravaging the whole world, saying the emergence of TIFUH at this time is very appropriate.

    Prof Akon Esu said TIFUH is on a mission to deliver quality training and give access to more people around the world to embrace peace advocacy.

    She disclosed that TIFUH is currently enrolling interested applicants into courses in the institute and urged members of the public to avail themselves the opportunity to be among the pioneer students.

    The International president of TIFUH, King Charles E. Bassey, in his remarks, said the institute has unique features that enable students to study anywhere in the world through online programmes.

    He said the vision is to be a conflict management institute in the world that conflict Resolution professionals can identify with for instilling peace building capacity in the minds of their professional members via intellectual and pragmatic training, locally and internationally.

    King Charles said TIFUH’s mandate is to help develop relevant training that will enhance manpower in peace building.

    He said the institute’s core values are anchored on passion for peace and harmony, human dignity.

    Highlight of the event was the conferment of the award of Honorary Fellow on the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi.

    The event was graced by Royal Fathers, the Clergy, Security Chieftains and a coterie of Peace Advocates.