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Tag: Florence Obi

  • PFN National Vice President Isong, Bags Religious Affairs Ambassadorial Award From Alma-Mater

    PFN National Vice President Isong, Bags Religious Affairs Ambassadorial Award From Alma-Mater

    By Nsan Ndoma-Neji

    As part of the activity to mark the celebration of Unical @50 Anniversary,  the University of Calabar (Unical) has conferred the prestigious award of honour called, “Religious Affairs Ambassador Award on the PFN National Vice President, Archbishop Dr Emmah Gospel Isong, as a way to encourage him to continue with rendering of selfless service to humanity.

    The award came barely 13 days after the institution recognized several personalities in Nigeria with awards of honour to distinguished personalities with track records in the socio-political landscape of the nation.

    Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Florence Obi stated that the award   to the cleric is in recognition of his tremendous contributions to  development of humanity and the society upholding the virtues and values that the institution stands for.

    Conferring the award on Isong in his office at Christian Central chapel International, a.k.a City of Testimonies Ikot Ene-Obong 8miles Calabar, Unical Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, said that the honour is in recognition to the cleric’s preaching exactly what Unical stands for.

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    Representing the Vice Chancellor, Dean, College of Graduate School and Chairman Unical at 50 Anniversary celebration, Prof. Eyong Ubana, and his team accompanied by Executive Secretary Unical NUGA games, Dr. Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe, stated that the honour is given to Isong following his ability to be preaching what Unical stands for.

    Obi averred that management of the school had over the years been following Isong’s track records and subsequently identified the cleric as a  shinning lights produced by the institution stressing that that alone qualified him to be a recipient of the award.

    “Your University has turned 50 years and as you know the motto of the University of Calabar is “knowledge for service” The knowledge you gained from the University  is for service to humanity.

    “One of the things we have done during this 50th Anniversary, is to give honour to those who has flown the flag of the institution.

    “We have identified Nigerians who graduated from that little place but are shining light, carrying the flag of the great University making the institution what it is to humanity.

    “We understand your contribution to humanity, we understand your contributions to our institution and to the few who are here.

    “We understand your contributions to the ones who are represented, and to the multitude out there.

    “We understand spiritual leadership and the tutelage that you have provided . We recognized what you are doing, that you are helping to propagate that which the university of Calabar stands for.

    “We understand that only very persons have the privilege to end the title Great Malabite (GM) you are a great man,” he maintained.

    In his reaction, PFN National Vice President South, South zone, Archisbishop Dr Emmah Isong expressed excitement, assuring management of his alma mater that the award will spur him to render more service to humanity.

  • 37th Convocation: Akpabio, Wike among 13,786 to bag UNICAL degrees

    37th Convocation: Akpabio, Wike among 13,786 to bag UNICAL degrees

     

    By Kelvin Obambon

    The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has disclosed that the President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike will be among the 13,786 people that will be awarded degrees at the 37th Convocation of the institution.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, who made this known on Monday during a press briefing in Calabar, stated that Akpabio, Wike, Unoma Akpabio, Governor Bassey Otu, Major Gen. Moses Obi, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim and Prince Arthur Eze would be awarded Honorary Doctorate Degrees.

    The 37th Convocation is viewed by the University community as unique because it coincides with the 50th anniversary celebration of UNICAL. The event will take place from March 17 to March 23, 2025, featuring various activities aimed at celebrating the institution’s achievements and recognizing its outstanding alumni, staff and students.

    Obi whose administration is winding down in few months time, revealed that the University of Calabar since its founding in 1975 to date, has churned out 168,786 graduates in diverse areas of human endeavour. She said the 37th Convocation which is obviously the last she will perform as head of the institution, would see a total of 13,786 persons conferred with various degrees.

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    According to her, “On Friday March 21st is a day set aside for the award of Master, First Degrees and Diplomas as well as induction into UNICAL Alumni Association. The event is slated for 11am at the Abraham Odiah Stadium, University of Calabar. We are expecting 12,726 graduands for the Friday convocation. The breakdown shows that 181 will be receiving diploma certificates, 11,725 will be receiving first degrees, while 877 will be receiving Master Degrees, 572 will be having PhDs, 249 will be having post graduate diploma. And we have 7 for the first time in the history of the University will be awarded post doctoral diploma in education.

    “Further breakdown of the two convocation events – the one of Friday and the one of Saturday, shows that in all, we will be having 13,786 graduands. Out of this, 66 students have first class, the highest in the history of the University. 3,054 will have second class upper. 7,450 will have second class lower. 925 will have third class. 7 will have pass. For the diploma certificates, 4 graduands will be awarded distinction. 135 will have merit and 42 will have credit.”

    The VC reaffirmed the university’s commitment to producing graduates equipped to compete globally, stating that “as an institution, we remain focused on academic excellence, research and community impact.”

  • At 50 UNICAL has demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, innovation, community service – VC

    At 50 UNICAL has demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, innovation, community service – VC

     

    By Kelvin Obambon

    After 50 years of existence, the University of Calabar (UNICAL), one of the premier tertiary institutions in Nigeria, has consistently demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence, innovation, infrastructural revolution and community service.

    This was the view of the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, at a colloquium held Wednesday as part of activities to mark the school’s 50th anniversary. The event which took place at the University of Calabar International Conference Center, featured several distinguished discussants from various fields of endeavour.

    Prof. Obi who is the first female Vice Chancellor of the institution, reflected on the remarkable journey that has brought the University of Calabar to where it is today. According to her, “From humble beginnings to our current status as one of the premier institutions of higher learning, our university has consistently demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence, innovation, infrastructural revolution and community service.”

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    “Today’s colloquium, themed: “University of Calabar and its Contribution to National Development” is a testament to our institution’s dedication to fostering intellectual discourse, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

    “As we celebrate our past achievements, we also look to the future with optimism and anticipation. Our university remains committed to providing a transformative educational experience that prepares our students to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world,” she said.

    In his lead presentation, Prof. Abiodun Adebayo, examined “The University of Calabar and its Contributions to National Development”, positing that the institution since its founding in 1975, has continued to produce quality graduates that have become invaluable human resources turning the wheels of development in various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

    Prof. Adebayo noted the University has contributed significantly to the education of women, stating that between 2020/2021 UNICAL admitted the highest number of female students in Nigeria. He also mentioned that the University of Calabar has promoted diversity and inclusivity as reflected in the enrollment of students and staff from different parts of the country, irrespective of religious and cultural leanings.

  • Merit Award: UNICAL VC honours 143 outstanding staff

    Merit Award: UNICAL VC honours 143 outstanding staff

    By Christian Njoku

    The University of Calabar (UNICAL) on Friday honoured 143 staff members of the institution in the 2023, Meritorious Service Award.

    The awards which were given to both academic and non academic employees of the institution were the second by the current administration in the university, the first was in 2022.

    Addressing the awardees and other staff present, Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of UNICAL disclosed that the school was proclaiming to the world that out of the about 8,000 staff of the institution, the awardees stood-out.

    Obi told the staff that as they worked, people were watching them even though they may not come openly to commend or condemn them.

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    “Many staff don’t come to work or come, sign and leave, you are deceiving yourself because you think you are working for the VC when you should be working for God.

    “Some staff work and close by 4 p.m. while some have no closing time as long as there is work to be done, it is these kind of selfless people that we are here to appreciate today,” she said.

    The VC added that in her acceptance speech as a VC, she spoke of staff motivation and today, for the second year they were doing it and would continue to motivate the staff to do more and take the university to limelight.

    On his part, Dr. Joseph Asor Chairman of the Merit Award Committee said the committee tried its best to be as transparent as possible noting that no one close to a committee member was eligible.

    “Our criteria for the award was hard work, a listening ear, interaction with other staff and students and other issues like sexual and financial uprightness in their dealings with students and staff.

    “While we identified the best staff, we also identified the worst ones, even though we would not be announcing or publishing their names, we have met with them privately to desist or risk exposure in the next awards,” he said.

    One of the award recipient, Prof Andrew Essien from the Department of Theatre and Media Studies said he was happy that the little he was doing was acknowledged by the institution.

    While thanking God and the school, Essien however added that the school should improve in staff monitoring, because it would make the staff sit up and create room for more awardees.

    Another lecturer who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) Mrs Constance Dien from the Department of Educational Foundation said initially, she thought it was a scam but gives glory to God for the award.

    She said she was very delighted because she was not the best in her department but God has honoured her, she was encouraged to do better.

    (NAN)

  • UNICAL holds first solemn assembly in 2024

    UNICAL holds first solemn assembly in 2024

    By Christian Njoku

    The University of Calabar (UNICAL), on Monday held its first solemn assembly for the year 2024 to herald a new academic session.

    Speaking at the service, held at the institution’s International Conference Centre on the theme “walk with me oh Lord”, Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of UNICAL said the essence of the service was to hand the institution over to God.

    Obi said although it had become a tradition to seek God’s blessings at the beginning of every semester and session, there was a need for staff and students to personalize the theme of the service.

    “I thank God for sparing the lives of staff and students, I however charge you to continue to uphold the good name of the university which indicates the intention of the institution to walk with God and align with his ways.

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    “I also commend the Guest Speaker for accepting the invitation to share God’s precious words with the institution,” she said.

    Speaking on the theme of the event, the Guest Speaker, Rev. Fr. Francis Eworo,  said that God was ever prepared to walk with any individual or community if they were not distant from him.

    Eworo who focused his message on the book of Isaiah chapter one 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.

    He described many assemblies of humans today as those in the days of Prophet Isaiah in Israel which were simply religious but did not know God.

    “Many worship assemblies are breeding rebellion and have become detestable to God.

    “I call 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 clergyman said.

    The solemn assembly which was well attended by the the institution’s principal officers also had staff, student and a team of clergymen who officiated the service.

  • Our policies not meant to inflict pain – UNICAL VC

    Our policies not meant to inflict pain – UNICAL VC

    By Christian Njoku

    Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Calabar, (UNICAL) has disclosed that the policies introduced by management of the institution were not meant to inflict pain on Students or staff.

    Obi made the remark at the UNICAL Chapel of Redemption, Calabar, during the first Sunday of the year service.

    The VC who was reacting to the recent increase of school fee in the institution said whatever policy they took at the management level was to ensure that the school and its students stood at par with other universities.

    She said the increase in fee may have affected the students and parents financially with the hard times being witnessed in the nation, it was not to punish anyone.

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    “We had to do it because that is the only way we can make UNICAL at least be at par with other universities.

    “Our pride is that when we go out and people are talking about universities, UNICAL should be seen as a credible institution and not just to be used for negative examples.

    “I admit that it has not been easy running this institution because some people don’t want change, however, any decision we take is for the good of the institution and not for personal interest,” she said.

    She added that as an administration, they remained focused in driving the university to the right direction and would not be derailed.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the management of UNICAL after an emergency meeting on Dec. 1 approved the adjustment of charges paid by students, a move which was rejected by the students, causing massive protest on Monday Dec. 4.