Unical Elects First Female Vice Chancellor In 45 Years
As Prof Florence Banku-Obi beats 12 other contenders
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The University of Calabar (Unical), has elected Professor Florence Banku-Obi as its first ever female Vice Chancellor in the 45 years history of the institution.
In a keenly contested selection process, Prof Banku-Obi amassed 84.6 points to defeat 12 other contenders for the coveted position.
Officially announcing the result on Friday in Calabar, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Unical Governing Council, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, said the selection process was open and transparent.
Nwaogu said the 13 contestants for the Vice Chancellorship position were assured of a transparent, fair and just selection process.
She explained that the process followed the guidelines set up by the Federal Ministry of Education on the conduct of interview for the appointment of a Vice Chancellor.
“At the end of the day, we had a brand new first female VC of the University in the last 45 years. The interview was transparent and some of the contestants are part of our council.
“What I expect of her is to look at what the outgoing VC has done because governance is a continues process. She should invite all those who contested with her and build a team”, Senator Nwaogu said.
According to Nwaogu; “No one person can execute the programmes without the integration of other erudite administrators that presented their CVs yesterday.
“She should be an integrative agent and I expect her to look inward on the areas of internally generated revenue and pluck the areas.
“She needs to motivate staff and students of the school and as an erudite Professor and a mother, I know that she will bring all these to bear,” she said.
The Pro-Chancellor congratulated Banku-Obi for deserved selection and wished her the best in her tenure.
Speaking on her emergence as the Vice Chancellor-in-waiting, Banku-Obi, said she was elated and happy, adding that she returned all the glory to God.
“I am very happy today, I just received my appointment letter from the 12th Council as the 11th VC elect effective from Dec. 1, 2020.
“It was a free and fair contest and I am happy about it. The University of Calabar should expect an inclusive administration from me,” she said.
Professor Banku-Obi will be taking over from current Vice Chancellor, Professor Zana Akpagu whose tenure ends on November 30, 2020.
Banku-Obi hails from Bansan Osokom in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State and she has been a lecturer in the department of Education.
The new VC is the only two-times back to back elected Dean, faculty of Education, since the history of the University. She has also served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) and also as a member of the University Governing Council.
Also, Prof Banku-Obi has over 60 publications to her credit in both local and international journals. This is even as she has supervised over 30 postgraduates Diploma Projects; 12 Master Degrees Theses; and eight (8) PhD Dissertations as well as assessing 13 persons for professorial positions.
Meanwhile, the Unical Registrar, Ambassador Gabriel O. Egbe officially confirmed that the new Vice Chancellor’s appointment takes effect from Tuesday, December 1, 2020 and ends in 2025.
Below is the comprehensive result of the interview/election conducted on Thursday, September 10, 2020
1st = Florence Obi (84.6pts)
2nd = Bisong Ebuta (65.8pts)
3rd = Joseph Asor (63.4pts)
4th = Patrick Asuquo (61.9pts)
5th = Ayara Ndem (61.9pts)
6th = Eyong Eyong (59.3pts)
7th = Anthony Eneji (58.8pts)
8th = Ita Benedict (58.5pts)
9th = Eze Bassey (58.3pts)
10th = Offiong Offiong (58.2pts)
11th = Stella Attoe (57.8pts)
12th = Nwanna (55.6pts)
13th = Umealli (43.pts) – With agency reports
