By Frank Ulom
The students and staff of the University of Calabar, UNICAL on Thursday night saved the institution’s Central Store building from a raging fire.
CONVERSEER learned from a video sent to our newsroom by an anonymous source around 11pm where the students and staff were calling for help while trying to put off the fire which was heading towards the Student’s Affairs Division of the Registry.
The management of the university described the gallant students and staff as “heroes”.
A statement from the Public Relations Unit of the University on Friday, said, “The Students and Staff who demonstrated rare courage, sheer determination and uncommon passion for their citadel of learning threw everything in the way of sacrifice to prevent the fire from spreading to other adjoining buildings within the Stores area and the Students Affairs Division of the Registry.
“The wildfire whose rage was halted by the brave efforts of members of the University Community affected mainly the major storeroom housing Furniture, Cleaning Agents, Stationery, and other items yet to be identified as that part of the building was razed.
“The cause and financial cost of the damage engendered by the fire which was reported at about 8:30pm are yet to be determined.”
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The further stated that the “Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, who responded to the distress call as soon as she was informed bemoaned the ugly development but lauded the bravery of the students and staff and assured that a committee would be put in place to investigate the unpleasant occurrence.
“She lauded representatives of the various external security agencies who made their presence felt and also provided their usual support.
It added that “Some Management Staff like the Dean of Students, Prof. Tony Eyang, Director of the Physical Planning Unit, Arc Onun Ikpi and the Deputy Director, of Centre for General Studies (CGS), Barr Maxwell Eba among others were spotted at the scene of the event.”
CONVERSEER reports that this is the fifth fire outbreak the state has suffered this 2024.
The first was the burning of SteadyFlow College of Education in Akparabong, Ikom Local Government, the second was the burning of yam barns belonging to nine farmers along Bishiri road in Obudu Local Government, the third was the burning of a 16-room apartment in Okuku, Yala Local Government while the fourth is the burning of an 11-room apartment at Edibe Edibe in Calabar South Local Government.