The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UNICAL

  • French Embassy to partner UNICAL

    The Consul General of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Mr Francois Sastourne, has visited the University of Calabar (UNICAL) to foster collaborations and promotion of French as a second language.

    Receiving the envoy on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof James Utsalo, said the management was ready to partner the embassy to promote French language.

    The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof Francis Angrey, said the faculty lacked learning facilities, exchange programmes and poor language laboratories.

    The Head of Department of Modern Languages and Translation Studies, Dr Bassey Oben, who was with the school team, praised the envoy for the move, saying the visit would create opportunity for knowledge exchange with French students in the institution.

    Sastourne promised that the embassy would continue to support the promotion of French language in the institution. He noted that there was need for assistance in providing materials and encouraging exchange programmes between the institution and French-speaking countries.

     

  • Varsity inducts radiographers

    Varsity inducts radiographers

    The Department of Radiography and Radiological Science at the Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar (UNICAL), has inducted 42 graduates into the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN).

    The ceremony was held at the International Conference Centre.

    Acting Registrar of RRBN Mr Michael Okpalaeke presented the new radiographers for induction.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke, congratulated the graduating students and urged them to practise their profession with ethical standards as prescribed by the board.

    He said: “The induction signifies the professionalism in education as reflected in the results and performance of our graduates.”

    The Provost of the College of Medical Science, Prof Saturday Etuk, admonished the graduands to be focused.

    The Dean of the faculty, Prof Anne Asuquo, described the inductees as great men and women endowed with sound academic and professional wisdom. She said the graduates had been trained to choose the path of excellence through hard work and commitment.

    In his congratulatory message, the Acting Head of the Department, Dr Nneoyi Egbe, charged the graduates to be good ambassadors of the department.

    The event featured award presentations to Prof Epoke, Prof Asuquo and Prof Etuk.

    Speaking on behalf of the graduating students, Christian Udo, who bagged four awards as the best graduating student, thanked the staff of the department for their effort and encouragement throughout their stay.

     

  • ASUU honours retired members

    ASUU honours retired members

    The University of Calabar (UNICAL) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has honoured retired members. The event took place at the International Conference Centre of the university.

    In his opening address, Vice-Chancellor Prof James Epoke praised the leadership of the association for the initiative.

    The ASUU chairman, Dr James Okpliya, said the event was aimed at recognising former members who served the union.

    In a lecture titled The struggle continues, Dr Ndubuisi Osuagwu described the honorees as worthy ambassadors of the union, who left unforgettable marks in the struggle. He enjoined members to build on the legacies their retired colleagues left through ideologically-based struggles.

    Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Prof Bene Madunagu expressed appreciation to the organisers and pledged the retirees’ allegiance to the union.

    The event also witnessed the presentation of cheques to the awardees.

     

  • Students called to chamber

    Students called to chamber

    The Lord Denning Chamber of Justice, a students’ chamber in the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), has held its Call to Chamber ceremony and award night. The event, which was well-attended by students, was held at BK House, Calabar.

    The guests and students were clad in black and white attires, the ceremonial colours of lawyers.

    Declaring the programme open, the chairman of the occasion, Magistrate Ekong Imona, extolled the virtues of Lord Denning, who he said stood for honesty and godliness and morality in his legal dispositions.

    Imona, a magistrate with Cross River State judiciary, enjoined members of the chamber to imbibe and emulate the sterling qualities of Lord Denning, stressing that with such a mindset there would be hope for the nation.

    In his speech, the Chief Principal Advocate (CPA) of the chamber, Divine Greatness, 500-Level Law, was delighted by the large turnout of members and guests to the occasion. He said the programme was predicated on the need to orientate budding lawyers on the implications of plea bargaining in our criminal jurisprudence.

    Barrister Ozimco Ozimco, while administering the oath of allegiance on inductees, challenged the new members to hold on to the tenets of the legal profession.

    No fewer than 40 Law students were called to the chamber in the ceremony. The highpoints of the occasion was awards presentation to members and guests as well as fund raising to cater for the financial needs of the chamber.

    An inductee, Usani Yemiode, said: “Being called to chamber and bar will enable me to learn the procedural aspect of the law to complement what I am being taught in the classroom.”

     

  • Five dismissed for forgery

    In its bid to ensure academic discipline, the Governing Council of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has formally announced the dismissal of five academic staff and the demotion of 10 others.

    A statement issued by the Secretary to Council and Registrar of the institution, Dr Julia Omang, stated that four of the dismissed staff were involved in plagiarism, while one was a case of financial misappropriation.

    The demoted staff allegedly published their works in fake journals and proceeded to submit same to get promotion.

    The staff dismissed for plagiarism are Dr Azubuike Iloeje and Dr Maurice Bisong of the department of English and Literary Studies, Mr Oden Ubi, department of Marketing and Dr Paulinus Noah, department of Linguistics and Communication Studies. Dr Damian Agom was sacked for salary overpayment, which enriched him to the tune of N7,268,044.95 over a period of 11 months.

    The 10 academic staff demoted included Dr Asuquo Akabom, Dr Sunday Effiong and Dr C. O. Udoka, all of Accounting department, Prof Molinta Enendu, department of Theatre and Media Studies and Dr E.S. Akpan of Banking and Finance, Dr A.I. Afangideh and Dr Francis Okpiliya of the Department of Geography and Environment Science and Dr K.B.C Ashipu of the Department of English and Literary Studies.

    Besides their demotion, they are to refund all monies earned from their unmerited promotion and are barred from promotion for the next six years.

     

  • UNICAL dismisses five lecturers

    … Demotes 10 others

    The Governing Council of the University of Calabar has announced the dismissal of five of its academic staff and the demotion of 10 others.

    A release issued by the Secretary to the Council and Registrar of the Institution, Dr. (Mrs.) Julia Omang and made available to The Nation in Calabar on Friday, disclosed that four of the dismissed academic staff were involved in plagiarism while one was a case of financial fraud.

    The release also added that the 10 academic staff that were demoted chose to publish their works in fake or cloned journals and proceeded to submit same and obtained promotion in the process.

    Those that were dismissed for outright plagiarism are, Dr. Azubuike Iloeje and Dr. Maurice Bisong of the Department of English and Literary Studies, Mr. Oden Ubi of the Department of Marketing and Dr. Paulinus Noah of the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies.

    According to the release, Dr. Damian Agom was dismissed for salary overpayment, thereby enriching himself to the tone of N7, 268,044. 95 over a period of 11 months.

    The demoted lecturers are – Prof. Udoayang, Dr. Asuquo Akabom, Dr. Sunday Effiong and Dr. C. O. Udoka, all of Accounting Department, Prof. Molinta Enendu Department of Theatre and Media Studies and Dr. E.S.Akpan of Banking and Finance

    Also demoted are – Dr. A.I. Afangideh and Dr. Francis Okpiliya of the Department of Geography and Environment Science and Dr. K.B.C Ashipu of the Department of English and Literary Studies.

    Professors Udoayang and Enendu were demoted to the rank of senior lecturer, while Dr. Okpiliya, Dr. Afangideh and Dr. Ashipu have now moved down to position of lecturer 1.

    Besides their demotion, they are to refund all monies earned from their unmerited promotion and barred from promotion for the next six years, the release stated.

     

  • Yoruba students hold Cultural Day

    Yoruba students hold Cultural Day

    It was all fun at University of Calabar (UNICAL) last week when Yoruba students marked their Cultural Day. Clad in different attires, the students under the aegis of Yoruba Students Association (YOSA) thronged the Malabo Square venue of the programme.

    The event, which was organised to showcase the cultural heritage of Yoruba, was graced by many members of the Yoruba community in Calabar, including Apostle Olatunde Adekunle, the spiritual father of the day.

    Others were the chairman of the occasion, Prof Olu Lawal, former UNICAL librarian, Alhaji Mustapha Hassan, president of Yoruba community, Pastor J. O. Gureje, senior pastor of Shepherd Porch Church Pastor Tunde Oyeyipo, Prof Jane Omojuwa, Dr O. T. Owolabi, Engr Jide Adeoye, Mrs Bisola Oke, Chief Kayode Omoeye and Micheal Abolade, a teacher.

    The president of the association, Owolabi Faleti, in his address, expressed gratitude to God for making the day a reality. He said since his tenure started, he had built confidence of members. He said his strength and leadership ability would set the association on progressive pace after his tenure.

    Prof Lawal emphasised the need for students to unite and promote their language and cultural heritage wherever they may be. According to him, Yoruba culture remains one of the richest, adding that the culture had devised an easy way for transmission from parents to children.

    He urged lecturers to always instill morals and good values of the students, saying such would discourage anti-social behaviour and make them to think about their future.

    The cultural troupe of the association entertained guests and members with choreographed dance Bata steps. Also, some of the members recited Ewi (Yoruba poem) to the surprise of the guest.

    One of the students, Tosin Akeredolu, 400-Level Physiology, who came from Ekiti State, told CAMPUSLIFE that the messages of Ewi and Bata drums were to educate and prick the conscience of the people in medieval Yoruba society. He added that Ewi remains relevant in today’s society to speak the truth to the power that be.

    The highlight of the occasion included the presentation of awards to some of the guests, launching of the association’s Almanac and coronation of Oba of Malabor.

  • Acct Dept gets head

    Acct Dept gets head

    The management of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has appointed a new head for the Department for Accounting in the Faculty of Management Sciences. He is Dr Bassey Bassey. He took over from Dr Akabom Asuquo, whose tenure expired last month.

    Before his appointment, Bassey was the examination officer of the department and at the faculty.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, he said his administration would focus on developing students through seminars and conferences, adding that exposing students to such programmes would make them compete with their counterparts across the world.

    “I will equally reduce the time being spent on processing and compiling of students’ results and other administrative processes,” he said, adding that he would use his office to provide an enabling environment in addition to sourcing books and equipping the resource room to increase the access to Internet materials.

    He admonished students of the department to be good ambassadors by sustaining its high academic and moral standards. He advised them to be serious with their academic work.

    The President of Nigeria Universities of Accounting Students’ Association, UNICAL chapter, Isaiah Ugwueke, described the appointment of Bassey as putting a round peg in a round hole. He said the don would bring his academic experience to lift the department.