Unical Marks Golden Jubilee, Honours Gov Otu, Wike
- 37th Convocation activities flag off
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The University of Calabar (UNICAL) is celebrating its Golden Jubilee after 50 years of existence and 37th convocation ceremony with a rich history of turning out a total of 168,786 graduates since inception
Also billed for the week-long activities is the award of deserving academic titles, Honoris causa Ph.D in political science to Cross River State Governor, Sen Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike
Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Florence Banku Obi disclosed this at a press conference marking the commencement of a week-long activities for the Golden Jubilee Celebration and 37 Graduation ceremony of the institution.
She also said three excellent academicians, who have made impressive strides in their respective disciplines, Professor Eka Braide – Biological Sciences; Professor Chris Nwamoa – Theatre Arts; and Professor of Physiology, Osim Eme Osim have been pencilled down for the outstanding honours of Professor emeritus.
However, lamenting that UNICAL receives a paltry N13 million naira monthly subvention from the Federal Government to take care of personnel emoluments, Prof Obi said the institution is always going cap in hand to source for extra funds to manage its huge administrative overhead costs.
According to her, in order to meet the ever increasing financial commitments, UNICAL had to introduce long distance learning programme as a means of staying afloat and competitive within the nation’s educational system.
She listed other areas of fund raising by the institution to include award of outstanding academic honours to deserving dignitaries, who in turn appreciate such honours with monetary rewards for the University.
Specifically, Prof Obi expressed thanks to TETFUND for its significant interventionist role as a catalyst in the provisions of necessary institutional infrastructural facilities required to enhance academic pursuit.
The 50th-anniversary celebrations will feature a series of events, including a keynote lecture by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on March 20.
Also being lined up to make the celebration grand is a fundraising and awards night, culminating in the formal conferment of honorary degrees on distinguished alumni on March 23.
The programme of events also indicates that among those to be honored alongside Governor Otu and Barrister Wike are Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Agim
