By Magnus Effiong
The University of Calabar (UniCal) is celebrating its golden jubilee after 50 years of existence with a rich history of churning out a total of 168,786 graduates since inception, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has disclosed.
Prof Obi said as part of activities to mark the epochal celebration, the institution would confer on Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River, Nyesom Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory, and four others, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) honoris causa degree during its 37th convocation ceremony on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
The VC, who said this in Calabar during a press briefing to formally kick-start the weeklong activities for the 37th convocation of the institution, said recipients of the award had “made landmarks contributions, shaped the landscape and impacted lives in service to their motherland.”
She said Governor Bassey Otu was the first alumnus of the institution to become Governor of Cross River state hence the Honour.
The VC further disclosed that other recipients of the Honorary Doctorate degree were the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Ekaete Unoma Akpabio, Maj Gen Moses Obi Bissong (rtd), Hon Justice Emmanuel Agim and Prince Arthur Eze.
According the first female VC of UniCal, Friday is set aside for the Award of Masters, First Degree and Diplomas, adding that a total of 13, 610 graduands would take part in the exercise and that 66 of them had first class, 3,054 Second Class Upper division, 7450 Second Class Lower division while 925 had third class.
Prof Obi added that the event would also feature “investiture of Emeritus Professor whose intellectual contributions to their disciplines and the institution are widely acknowledged,” and named Prof Ekanem Ikpi Braide of faculty of Biological Sciences, Prof Chris Nwamuo of the Faculty of Arts and Prof Eme Efiom Osim of Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences as beneficiaries.
Prof Obi lamented that UniCal receives a paltry N13 million monthly subventions from the federal government to carter for personnel emoluments, while the institution is left cap in hand to source for extra funds to manage its administrative overhead cost.
In order to meet its ever-increasing financial expectations, the VC said UniCal had to resort to setting up long distance learning programme, but noted that despite challenges, UniCal has recorded significant milestones under her watch.
The 11th Vice Chancellor of the University said projects such as UniCal Hall of Fame and multipurpose auditorium; The College of Education Complex, Fire Service station/fire service trucks, pharmaceutical and medical pharmacy building amongst others would be commissioned during the period.
