The Lumine News

Tag: #Unical

  • 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)

  • UNICAL Disowns Fake Recruitment Advertisement Trending On Social Media

    UNICAL Disowns Fake Recruitment Advertisement Trending On Social Media

    ” UNICAL NOT RECRUITING”

    The University of Calabar has reacted to a ‘fake’ recruitment advertisement trending in the social media.

    The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Effiong.B. Eyo, in a statement on Monday warned members of the public to shun the advertisement as it did not emanate from the University.

    According to the statement, members of the public should be wary of the antics of fraudsters who are bent on deceiving them with the promise of offering them jobs in Unical.

    The Statement reads thus: ” the institution wishes to categorically state that it is currently not conducting any recruitment exercise.

    ” Should the institution decide to engage more hands, the Public will be notified through appropriate, recognized and official channels of communication”

    Signed:
    EFFIONG. B. EYO
    PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER UNICAL

  • UNICAL Begins Academic Activities After ASUU Strike

    UNICAL Begins Academic Activities After ASUU Strike

     

    The University of Calabar has commenced academic activities for fresh and old students of the institution.

    A check by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) within the campus indicates that fresh students were already visiting some offices for their registration.

    Also, some final year students of the institution were busy doing their final clearance at different points on campus.

    A further check by NAN also indicated that most of the lecturers had visited their offices and getting set for academic activities.

    Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Florence Obi, told NAN in an interview that she was happy to welcome Lecturers and students back on campus.

    Prof. Obi said that the senate of the university had resolved that no student will be victimized as a result of the strike by any lecturer.

    She said that with the resumption of academic activities today, the university was set for serious activities with the students with a view to catch up with the lost period of eight months.

    “During the period of the strike, we were busy on campus with our drive for infrastructural development and building of new classrooms blocks and hostels in preparation for resumption.

    “We had classrooms that were dilapidated, so we used the period of the strike to fix the desks and also completed the pavilion 1, 2 and 3, courtesy of Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

    “Today, we also have beautiful road network on campus and we got that through the intervention of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

    “During the strike, we also ran a workshop where we hosted lecturers from the Association of African Universities. In all, we were able to use the period the strike to achieve many things.

    “We just had our first mass this morning were we dedicated the resumption of activities to God,” she said.

    The VC, who used the occasion to welcome lecturers, staff and students of the institution back on campus, urged the students to be focus and dedicated to their studies.

    A final year student of the university, Ms. Jennifer Obono, told NAN on campus that she was happy to be back to school after the eight months strike.

    Obono, a final year students of Faculty of Agriculture, said she was pursuing her final clearance in preparation for graduation.

    Another student, James Okon, told NAN that the period of the strike was so devastating, adding that he was happy to be back to school were he can be engaged meaningfully.

    Okon commended the management of the institution for the building of new classroom blocks, road network and hostels, adding that the university has become more conducive for teaching and learning.

  • UNICAL Security Operatives Arrests Kinghope Ubi For Using A Dummy Gun To Threaten Students And Snatching Their Phones

    UNICAL Security Operatives Arrests Kinghope Ubi For Using A Dummy Gun To Threaten Students And Snatching Their Phones

    The University of Calabar security operatives has arrested Kinghope Ubi for using a dummy gun to threaten students and snatching their phones on campus.

    Ubi was arrested at the ICT Centre of the institution after leading his two friends to point the dummy gun at Akomaye Ephraim and collecting his Tecno Camon 16 Premium phone valued at N108,000.

    When interrogated, he confessed that he came into the university to visit his girl friend and thereafter, he decided to snatch some phones from students.

    Kinghope Ubi, who is not a student of UNICAL, said that his friend gave him the dummy gun to point at students and collect their phones.

    After arresting him, they found a passport of him wearing Nigeria Customs Service uniform. He told newsmen that he was dismissed from the Customs Service in 2021.

    Speaking on the arrest, the Acting CSO of UNICAL, SP Usani Okon (Rtd), said that the current administration of Prof. Florence Banku Obi frowns at any act of stealing and robbery on campus.

    He said that the VC has repositioned the security operatives in the institution with a view to protect all students and staff against any form of robbery and attack.

    Thereafter, the suspect was handed over to the Anti-Kindapping and Cultism Squad of the Police for further actions.

  • The Raging Arson In UNICAL, A Call For Concern BY PATRICK OBIA

    The Raging Arson In UNICAL, A Call For Concern BY PATRICK OBIA

     

    It was an English philosopher and scholar, Thomas Hobbes who postulated in his book, Leviathan, Book I, Chapter 13 that; “Whatsoever therefore is consequent to a time of war, where every man is enemy to every man, the same consequent to the time wherein men live without other security than what their own strength and their own invention shall furnish them withal. In such condition there is no place for industry… no knowledge on the face of the earth; no account of time; no arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

    Hobbes, in this chapter of the natural condition of mankind concerning their felicity and misery, states clearly that all men are made equal by nature while acknowledging that some men may be smarter, or stronger than others even though in the end, this does not impede man’s ability to achieve his means as man’s aspirations and quest for a better life, leads to the locking of horns which lead to hostility.

    In light of the above, life is full of protagonists and antagonists, who all bring about the reality of life stories.

    The recent arson in the University of Calabar (UNICAL) can be likened to what Hobbes described as the “state of nature,” wherein, in the past few weeks, the Ivory tower, founded 47 years ago, has lost back-to-back, academic infrastructure to fires.

    Though, the varsity has, in recent years, witnessed violent activities that have led to the destruction of infrastructure, the most recent which occurred on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 which saw the Department of Continuous Education and Development Studies razed is fresh in mind.

    This is coming three weeks after the Department of Mathematics, was razed on Sunday, 30 January 2022 by what many have described as “strange fire” at the wee hours of that day. A week later, on Sunday, 6 February 2022, the Department of International Relations was gutted by the same magical fire with no history so far with almost nothing saved.

    While the cause of the fire remains a mystery to management, students and the public, there are allegations that, some aggrieved students in the varsity have hands in the destruction as a result of the management’s increment in school fees as well as courses registration which have generated public uproar.

    Also, there are insinuations that students are vexed over the fact that the school is yet to finish its first semester talk less of starting second semester especially as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) indefinite strike has commenced.

    Whichever is correct or wrong, there is no reason to justify destruction in any guise. Meanwhile, this is not time for blame game on whose fault it is.

    It is time to look at the continuous arson with eagle eyes whether done by students or enemies of the institution or whoever; it calls for all hands to be on deck, lest it renders academic activities in the varsity impotent.

    UNICAL management should, as a matter of urgency, beef up security in the campus to protect its assets especially during odd hours but must be careful in order not to affect the innocent ones. Though it is said management has imposed curfew and halted night classes to checkmate insecurity.

    Furthermore, in as much as the institution has increased its fees/service charges, there is needed for an extension in the closure of the portal.

    Like the holy book says: “while men slept, the enemy came and sowed a wrong seed,” It is not time to input damage charges in the service charges to innocent students rather, it is a wake up call for management and relevant security agencies to dive into action and carry out tight investigation and bring perpetrators to book.

    Finally, when a child is beaten, the child runs back to who beats him or her for consolation. Therefore, the management of the University of Calabar as a parent should listen to the wailing of their children (students). A stitch in time saves nine.

    Patrick Obia is a journalist and writes from Calabar, Cross River State.

    NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Patrick Obia and do not represent the opinion of CrossRiverWatch or any other organization the author works for/with.

  • UNICAL Signs MoU With MTN For Provision Of Internet Services On Campus

    UNICAL Signs MoU With MTN For Provision Of Internet Services On Campus

     

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, has signed a memorandum of understanding between the university and MTN to enhance internet services in the institution.

    The move by the Vice Chancellor marks the beginning of a paradigm shift in the area of telecommunications and internet services in the University of Calabar.

    According to Dr Adie Edward of the Faculty of Arts, “the Vice Chancellor was highly elated that this giant stride has been achieved under her administration because activities such as internet browsing, phone calls, SMS, ATM, POS etc will happen with relative ease and speed as soon as this very important project is concluded”.

    Accordingly, the VC expressed happiness with the Dean of Arts, Prof Stella Effa Atoe and the entire Faculty for initiating a laudable move of putting ICT and digitalization on a speed lane in the university, just as she promised to drive the project to a logical conclusion in no distant time.

  • Pro-Chancellor Solicit For More Security Presence In UNICAL

    Pro-Chancellor Solicit For More Security Presence In UNICAL

    By UNICAL Press Corps

    The Pro-chancellor/Chairman of the 13th Governing Council of the University of Calabar, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), has solicited for more security presence in the University of Calabar.

    The Pro-chancellor made the request known when he led members of the Governing Council on a courtesy visit to the Commander of the 13th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Peter malla in his office.

    General Martin Agwai said he was aware of the support that the Brigade has offered already in terms of security but owing to their success story with the University, more support would be requested from them.

    He eulogized the role of the army in the security architecture of the nation and charged them not to relent in their effort to keep Nigeria safe and peaceful.

    In an earlier address, the Commander of the 13th Brigade, Brigadier General Peter Malla, thanked the Council and the university management team for the visit, adding that he will work closely with the leadership of the university to maintain peace and orderliness.

    Responding, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, appreciated the Commander for his prompt support so far, especially during the conduct of the just concluded final year examination.

    Highpoint of the visit was the exchange of memento between the Pro-Chancellor and the Commander of the Brigade.

  • Police To Train UNICAL Security On Mental And Combat Alertness

    Police To Train UNICAL Security On Mental And Combat Alertness

    By UNICAL Press Corps

    The Cross River Police Command has assured the management of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) of organising security training on combat and mental alertness for the Institution’s security personnel on campus.

    Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Aminu Alhassan, gave the assurance in Calabar when the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of UNICAL Governing Council, Gen. Martin Luther-Agwai (Rtd) led other Council Members of the University on a courtesy call to the office of the Commissioner.

    Alhassan said that the University and the Police Command enjoys a cordial working relationship that should be sustained through peaceful co-existence.

    He told the team from UNICAL that the command will enhance operational efficiency of the police post on campus with a view to always respond to cases of emergency on time.

    “I want to assure you of the state command’s support and collaboration in maintaining a peaceful environment for both students and staff.

    “We are also going to train some of our personnel with a view to impact the needed security tips and knowledge on campus policing.

    “The University is a place for research and teaching, we will do our best to maintain our presence there always,” he assured.

    Earlier, Luther-Agwai told the CP that he was in his office on a familiarisation visit and to thank the command for their support to the university.

    He charged the Police Commissioner to organise training courses for its personnel on campus for optimal combat and mental alertness.

    “We have come here as a council to seek your continues support and collaboration in maintaining peace and orderliness in UNICAL.

    “We thank the Nigerian Police for all they have done in securing the University of Calabar community. But, we want to ask for more of their presence on campus,” he said.

    Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Florence Obi, thanked the Command for always responding to the management calls whenever there were cases of insecurity on campus.

    She assured the CP that the university would continue to partner with the police on all its activities.

  • Insecurity: C’River Gov’t To Establish Naval Base At UNICAL

    Insecurity: C’River Gov’t To Establish Naval Base At UNICAL

    1. The Cross River Government has disclosed plans to establish a Naval base in partnership with the Nigerian Navy at the riverine area of the University of Calabar.

    The state governor, Prof Ben Ayade disclosed this on Monday in Calabar when the Chairman and Pro Chancellor of the University of Calabar Governing Council, Gen. Martin Luther-Agwai (rtd), led the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi and other members of the Council on a visit to his office.

    The Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Esu, who stood in for the Governor informed the Chairman and other Council members that the decision to establish the base was reached during the state security meeting.

    He said that it was important to establish the base so as to curb insecurity around the riverine area of the university and beyond.

    Esu, who is a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, said that the state government places premium on the management, welfare and running of the university.

    “I am glad to receive this great team today because we are all partners in the growth and development of UNICAL.

    “On the issue of insecurity, I want to inform you that we have agreed in our last security meeting that we establish a naval base at the riverine area of the university to stem cases of insecurity on campus.

    “Most of the bad boys were using the riverside to strike into the university community. We are passionate about UNICAL; we will do our best to ensure the security of students and staff.

    “For me as a person, I’m very concerned because I was a Vice Chancellor of the prestigious University of Calabar,” he said.

    He assured the team of the state government‘s support for all their activities that would move the university forward.

    Earlier, the Chairman appealed to the state government to also look into the issue of land encroachment by some individuals and host communities.

    He said that they needed the support of all stakeholders in the state with a view to positioning the university as one of the best in the country and around the globe.

    The Chairman of the University’s Governing Council called on other members to support them in their bid to reposition the university for the benefit of all.

  • UNICAL Law Student On The Run For Raping A Minor, Beware Of Fraudulent Job Adverts – CP

    UNICAL Law Student On The Run For Raping A Minor, Beware Of Fraudulent Job Adverts – CP

    By Archibong Jeremiah – CrossRiverWatch

    The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, CP Sikiru Akande warned that Cross Riverians and dwellers should be aware of fraudulent job advertisement.

    CP Sikiru Akande gave the admonition following the defilement of a minor by a final year Law student of the University of Calabar, UNICAL, who is currently on the run.

    The alleged rapist, Mr. Emmanuel Friday Udofah committed the crime in a hotel he manages, Specs Investment Limited, State Housing Estate, Calabar Municipality.

    He had placed a vacancy notice in front of the hotel and the victim whose name is not mentioned in print unsuspectingly applied. In what was supposed to be an interview, she was pushed into one of the rooms and repeatedly raped.

    Speaking to this reporter, the State Chairperson of Child Protection Network, CPN, Barrister James Ibor disclosed that, “the victim which he knowingly defiled is still in critical condition, we are tracking him and will bring him to justice.”

    Barrister James Ibor who is the Principal Counsel, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, BRCI, condemned the act and urged all and sundry to support the fight against child abuse.