The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UNICAL

  • UNICAL’s plaza of controversy

    UNICAL’s plaza of controversy

    The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has ordered traders to stop trading in classrooms and hostels and move into the newly completed shopping plaza. Some have moved; others won’t, alleging high rents and slow trading at the plaza. EMMANUEL SHEBBS (Graduate School) and IKECHUKWU OFILI (300-Level Public Administration) report.

    It  was conceived as a solution to indiscriminate trading and hawking at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), but it is generating ripples.

    The need to tackle the menace made the former Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Bassey Asuquo, to think of building a shopping plaza.

    But, he could not complete the project before his tenure ended. His successor, Prof James Epoke, continued with the project.

    Last month, the plaza, located close to the Halls of Residence, was opened but many traders refused to move in, alleging high rents.

    Some of the traders, who initially occupied Malabo Complex, had wooden kiosks and shanties. Others used corroded zinc sheets, tainting the campus’ beauty. Those, who could not erect makeshift shops, stayed in hostels’ corridors and walkways.

    Before the plaza’s completion, Malabo area was a beehive. An old student, Gabriel Akam, said: “Malabo area was a noisy place. One could hardly read in the hostel because of market activities and the traders’ noisy generators.”

    Because of the belief that business booms there, some traders in off-campus location moved to the hostels. One of them, who simply identified himself as Chike, said: “Malabo is a good place to make sales. Students patronised us very well, especially during Christmas. There is no holiday here. I made quick turnover and big profits.”

    On assuming duties, Epoke evacuated the traders from Malabo and the use of generators was controlled. The traders were not happy; they were forced to relocate to the plaza, which was then under construction.

    They were allocated uncompleted shops but some of them rejected the allocation, citing low patronage. They preferred to hawk around the hostel corridors. Students also complained that the plaza is far from their hostels.

    Despite the complaints, the management stuck to its guns.

    It appears the traders have complied with the directive. When CAMPUSLIFE visited the plaza, activities were in full swing, with students doing their shopping.

    A trader, who did not mention her name, said trading is booming contrary to the belief that students’ patronage would be low at the plaza. She said: “The new environment has been favourable for business.”

    Ms Archibong, who owns a grocery store, told our reporters: “Commercial activities have taken off competitively. The patronage has improved. Students have started coming in and this place is more comfortable than the former place.”

    But, some complained that people come into the plaza to pilfer their wares when it is dark. Effiong does photocopy. He said his properties usually get missing.

     

    “The other day, I lost my generator. I left it in the corridor, but when I came back the next day, someone had cut the chain and taken it away”.

    A barber said: “The plaza is safe. The structure is constructed in a way that makes burglary impossible. Nobody can break into the wall and the metal doors.”

    Yet, some traders are found around the hostel. Our reporters saw some of them selling pawpaw, oranges, pineapples and cucumber, among others. Some underage bread and groundnuts hawkers were also seen around the hostel. They came from outside.

    One of them, who brought fruits, said the plaza is not fit for her kind of goods. “What I sell here are perishable food and fruits. They cannot be preserved. For instance, if these peeled oranges and pineapples are not sold today, I would be at a loss. I cannot go inside the plaza to display them. That place will not help me because students cannot see what you have until they locate you there. I pay for this place (the hostel corridor). I don’t stay here free of charge.”

    Prices of goods at the plaza are now expensive, John Okon, a final year Education student, said. “Initially, a plate of food is sold for N150. Previously, you could negotiate with the seller and go for ‘no-meat’, which went for N100. The food vendors in kiosks sold cheaper food before moving to the plaza,” John said.

    The high cost of goods and services in the plaza, Mr. Praise Mfonobong, a trader, said, may not be unconnected with the high rent. “We pay higher rent in the plaza than when we were in kiosks. The management told to pay N60,000 per annum,” he offered.

    Another trader, Mrs Lucy Eka, blamed the high prices on inflation. “Things are very expensive these days in the market. You cannot expect me to sell lower than my cost price. The problem is from the government and not our fault. I have my children in the university here. I will have to take care of them. Fuel and transport are costly. So I have to make profit to augment my investment,” she said.

    A student in the Faculty of Management Science, Ben Ikashi, urged management to check high prices in the plaza. “The management should not allow the traders to exploit students,” he said.

    But a trader, who simply gave his name as Mr. Samuel, said: “It is not the duty of the management to decide how we sell our goods. The school has collected its rent at its fixed rate; we must be allowed to sell at whatever price we wish. The students are buying and they are happy.”

    The Director of Welfare of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), John Alawa, assured students the union would issue a pricing document before the expiration of its tenure. “We will work with the campus Task Force to ensure prices of goods are controlled,” he said.

     

     

  • Celebration time at UNICAL

    Celebration time at UNICAL

    Over 8,000 graduates were awarded degrees when the University of Calabar (UNICAL) celebrated its 40th anniversary and 28th Convocation last week, report STANLEY UCHEGBU (Accounting), FRANK EJEAGBASI (Medical Physiology) and GILBERT PEPPLE (Political Science).

    The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has celebrated its 40th Founder’s Day and 28th Convocation.

    The institution’s management   marked the event with Distinguished Goodwill Ambassadors Awards (DIGA).

    During the four-day event, the campus was a beehive. Members of the university community rolled out the drums in celebration; politicians were not left out.

    It started with inter-denominational service in the International Conference Centre, anchored by Revd Father Francis Offiong, Revd Nsa Eyo of the St. Paul’s Catholic Church and UNICAL Chapel of Redemption.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof James Epoke, led the school’s management, including his Deputy for Academics, Prof Zana Akpagu; his Administrative counterpart, Prof Maisie Etukudo; Registrar, Mr Moses Abang; Bursar, Mr Peter Agi, and the Librarian Dr Ruth Simon-Bassey.

    In his homily titled: Small beginning: A sure foundation for greatness,  Revd. Father Offiong spoke on the need to be steadfast and dedicated to the service of humanity, urging members of the university community not to look at their days of little beginnings, but to hope for greater achievements through dedication and commitment.

    The service was followed by award presentations, which held at the Conference Hall of the UNICAL Hotel. Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, advised the institution’s alumni to be worthy ambassadors.

    Epoke said his administration had recorded remarkable progress in improving the academic status of the university, saying that he had a plan to make learning in the institution to be driven by Information Communication Technology (ICT).

    Some of the alumni honoured as ambassadors included Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Calabar Diocese, Rev Tunde Adeleye; Director-General, Department of State Security Service, Mr Ekpeyong Ita; Dr Victor Ikpeazu; Prof Saturday Etuk and Prof Eno Ukpong, among others.

    The third day of the event set the stage  for the 28th Convocation, which held at the Abraham Ordia Stadium, where Iwuanyanwu admonished granduands to be of good character. He also hailed the VC’s strides in provision of infrastructure and teaching facilities.

    President Goodluck Jonathan was represented by Prof Akaneren Essien; Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof Offiong Offiong.

    Epoke advised the graduates to strive for excellence, saying the university had given them its best to be successful. He told them to be worthy ambassadors and contribute their quota to the growth of the nation. He urged them to utilise skills they acquired in entrepreneurship training to be self-reliant.

    The VC announced automatic employment to nine First Class graduates at the ceremony, saying the best way to pay back the school’s gesture was to work hard to touch lives of the people.

    Epoke listed his achievement in fixing infrastructure and teaching facilities in the school, saying: “All the gains we have listed would not have been possible without the tremendous support of President Jonathan.”

    The VC appealed to the president to intervene in the management’s effort to stop flooding of the campus in the rainy season. Epoke said perennial flood had damaged valuable academic materials in many departments, noting students’ records and materials are washed away whenever it rains in the city.

    He added that the Council chairman had made a passionate appeal on the university’s behalf to Ecological Office of the presidency for help. “We will be happy if President Jonathan kindly directs the Ecological Office to come to our rescue before another rain,” Epoke said.

    A total of 8,180 graduates got their certificates. About 6,823 received Bachelor’s degree; 940 and 417 got Masters and Diplomas.

    One of the best graduating students at the Faculty of Education, Uju Asuzuo, who is also a CAMPUSLIFE correspondent, described her feat as God’s blessing.

    She said: “This is only God’s blessing in my life. I studied like every other student; I burnt the proverbial midnight candle and struggled to do all assignments and examinations. And God crowned my effort by this feat.”

    The overall best graduating student, Mkpouto Pius, who graduated from the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, said the institution had given them good training to explore the world. She advised their junior colleagues to be diligent and dedicated to their studies.

     

     

  • Celebration time at UNICAL

    Celebration time at UNICAL

    Over 8,000 graduates were awarded degrees when the University of Calabar (UNICAL) celebrated its 40th anniversary and 28th Convocation last week, report STANLEY UCHEGBU (Accounting), FRANK EJEAGBASI (Medical Physiology) and GILBERT PEPPLE (Political Science).

    The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has celebrated its 40th Founder’s Day and 28th Convocation. The institution’s management deemed it necessary to mark the event with Distinguished Goodwill Ambassadors Award (DIGA).

    During the four-day event, the campus was a beehive of activities. Members of the university community rolled out the drums in celebration; politicians were part of the event.

    It started with inter-denominational service in the International Conference Centre, which was anchored by Reverend Father Francis Offiong, Reverend Nsa Eyo of the St. Paul’s Catholic Church and UNICAL Chapel of Redemption.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof James Epoke, led the school’s management, including his Deputy for Academic, Prof Zana Akpagu; his Administrative counterpart, Prof Maisie Etukudo; Registrar, Mr Moses Abang; Bursar, Mr Peter Agi, and the Librarian Dr Ruth Simon-Bassey.

    In his homily titled: Small beginning: A sure foundation for greatness,  Father Offiong spoke on the need to be steadfast and dedicated to the service of humanity, urging members of the university community not to look at their days of little beginnings, but to hope for greater achievements through dedication and commitment.

    The service was followed by award presentations, which held at the Conference Hall of the UNICAL Hotel. Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, advised the institution’s alumni to be worthy ambassadors.

    Prof Epoke said his administration had recorded remarkable progress in improving the academic status of the university, saying that he had a plan to make learning in the school be driven by Information Communication Technology (ICT).

    Some of the alumni honoured as ambassadors included Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Calabar Diocese, Rev Tunde Adeleye; Director-General of Department of State Security Service, Mr Ekpeyong Ita;  Dr Victor Ikpeazu; Prof Saturday Etuk and Prof Eno Ukpong, among others.

    The third day of the event set the stage  for the 28th Convocation, which held at the Abraham Ordia Stadium, where Iwuanyanwu admonished granduands to be of good character. He also hailed the VC’s strides in provision of infrastructure and teaching facilities.

    President Goodluck Jonathan was represented by Prof Akaneren Essien; Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof Offiong Offiong.

    Epoke advised the graduates to strive for excellence, saying the university had given them its best to be successful. He told them to be worthy ambassadors and contribute their quota to the growth of the nation. He also urged them to utilise skills they acquired in entrepreneurship training to be self-reliant.

    The VC announced automatic employment to nine First Class graduates at the ceremony, saying the best way to pay back the school’s gesture was to work hard to touch lives of the people.

    Epoke listed his achievement in fixing infrastructure and teaching facilities in the school, saying: “All the gains we have listed would not have been possible without the tremendous support of President Jonathan.”

    The VC appealed to the president to intervene in the management’s effort to stop flooding of the campus in the rainy season. Epoke said perennial flood had damaged valuable academic materials in many departments, noting students’ records and materials are washed away whenever it rains in the city.

    He added that the Council chairman had made a passionate appeal on the university’s behalf to Ecological Office of the presidency for help. “We will be happy if President Jonathan kindly directs the ecological office to come to our rescue before another rain,” Epoke said.

    •Some of the graduands at the convocation
    •Some of the graduands at the convocation

    A total of 8,180 graduates got their certificates. About 6,823 received Bachelor’s degree; 940 and 417 got Masters and Diplomas.

    One of the best graduating students at the Faculty of Education, Uju Asuzuo, who is also a CAMPUSLIFE correspondent, described her feat as God’s blessing.

    She said: “This is only God’s blessing in my life. I studied like every other student; I burnt the proverbial midnight candle and struggled to do all assignments and examination. But, God crowned my effort by this feat.”

    The overall best graduating student, Mkpouto Pius, who graduated from the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, said the school had given them good training to explore the world. She advised their junior colleagues to be diligent and dedicated to their studies.

     

     

  • Students kick as Open Pavilion goes

    Students kick as Open Pavilion goes

    Students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) are not excited about the planned transformation of Open Pavilion, a multi-purpose field where they unwind. The university is converting the field to a car park but the students are kicking, saying they were not consulted before the project started. EMMANUEL SHEBBS (Graduate School) reports.

    It was a multi-purpose venue for major events. From matriculation to convocation and Students’ Union Government (SUG) election, the Open Pavilion at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) was the place for big events.

    On many occasions, it was used for the passing out parades of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and seminars of the  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    At weekends, it served as a place for students to unwind. They would play game and hold social events there.

    All these are now in the past with the on-going development of the field. Students returned to campus after a break to discover their favourite rendezvous is being turned into something else.

    When CAMPUSLIFE visited the site last weekend, the grass was being scraped off by earth movers and tractors.

    When CAMPUSLIFE sought to know if the Open Pavilion was being upgraded, the construction workers declined comments.

    But the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Eyo Bassey, told our correspondent that the university had decided to convert the pavilion to a car park. Bassey said the management responded to complaints by staff and visitors about inadequate parking lot on the campus. This is the reason, he said, the pavilion had to go.

    He said: “There have been complaints from various quarters about the inability to get space for car park in the academic area on the campus. You know there is no other place that we can park cars; people park indiscriminately. But, you cannot tell them not to come into the school with their vehicles. It is not wise enough. So, because of its strategic location, the Open Pavilion is best option for this task. This is why it is being converted to a car park.”

    When he assumed office, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof James Epoke unveiled a development master plan aimed at returning orderliness to the campus. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that construction of a central car park was contained in the plan to give the environment an aesthetic outlook.

    But, students are kicking against the conversion. SUG President Emmanuel Ajang, said students are not happy with the development, noting that the management did not inform them before bringing bulldozers to the field.

    He said: “I was in Abuja for a conference when I received information that bulldozers were excavating the Open Pavilion. I was surprised because there was no prior notice from the management that such a work was coming up. And you know the pavilion is a place the students love so much because of its multi-purpose nature.

    “I have met with the VC to raise that issue. I expressed students’ disapproval of the project to him, especially the fact that the union was not informed. The VC apologised for such lapses and said the development plan, which he submitted to the Federal Government years ago, had just been approved. The VC said the construction work had to start after money was released for the project.”

    Chris Udoh, a student in Faculty of Education, said: “The Open Pavilion was a place we relax after academic engagements. There is no other place where we can unwind again.”

    Some welcomed the project,  urging the management to create another space for leisure, which should not be far from the academic area.

    After the completion of the car park, Christian Anyanwu, a Science student, said the management should make it mandatory that it is cleared of vehicles before 6pm for students’ activities. This may not be; but the school is considering other options.

    Emmanuel, who unveiled the school’s plan, said: “We have been holding meetings with the management. We have reached an agreement that they will build three recreation centres for the students. The VC said we should go round the campus and recommend choice places for the management to build recreation centres. We have recommended an area close to second gate, another open field close to the staff quarters and a field behind Hall 6. These places have not been used for anything for years; so we want the management to develop them for sports and relaxation.”

    Solomon Okon, an Arts student, said having a car park is good,  urging the management to ensure the project achieves its goal.

    Josephine Nwankwo, a 300-Level Management Science student, said the car park would make the academic area to become busy. She said management would need to prepare for the vehicular traffic that may arise and improve security in the car park.

    A professor of Social Science, who did not want his name in print, urged students to embrace the change, noting that the car park would bring orderliness. He said: “The car park would bring sanity back to the campus. Everything will be organised. I applaud the Vice-Chancellor for coming up with the initiative to make the school look good.”

    The SUG president urged students to remain calm, saying the VC would not renege on his promise to build recreation centres on the campus. He said: “Prof Epoke cannot disappoint us. The agreement is that the areas chosen by students for the recreation centres would be constructed before the car park project is completed. I will make sure I hold the university on this promise. I want to assure the VC that we are strongly in support of him.”

     

     

  • Security men avert religious crisis at UNICAL

    Security men avert religious crisis at UNICAL

    A clash was averted at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) last Saturday when some students disrupted a programme organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN). EMMANUEL SHEBBS (Public Administration), FRANK EJEAGBASI ( 400-Level Physiology) and PAUL DANIEL (300-Level Political Science) report.

    What could have snowballed into  violence was averted last Saturday at the University of Calabar (UNICAL). An open lecture organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) almost ended in a crisis over allegations that Jesus was being abused.

    But, the timely intervention of the school security personnel saved the day.

    Irate students surrounded the event’s venue, dismantling canopies and scattering chairs. They also ejected MSSN members from the hostel where the event was being held.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the students felt aggrieved about what they considered “controversial” comments of Malam Shehu Uthman Abubakar, the guest speaker and a lecturer at the Department of Computer and Information Technology of Kebbi State University.

    The Islamic scholar was speaking on The Quran and the Bible in the light of modern science. The theme was: Quranic conception of western education.

    An eyewitness said some students, who were listening to the lecture in their rooms, were angry at the utterances of the speaker. “This caused anger among students and the fact that the lecturer mentioned Jesus made the students to disrupt the event. I think the students could not bear what they saw as insult on Christians,” the witness said.

    Michael Archibong, a student staying in Hall 5, said: “Everybody in the hostel could hear the guest lecturer at the MSSN event because their speakers were placed in strategic places. I heard the speaker talking about the Christ. He sounded like he had some grievances against Christians. We were not surprised at everything he said. But his comment on Jesus and Mary made us to go to the venue and stop the programme. It was as if it was planned but nobody planned it. It was because of the comment we heard from the speaker.”

    The MSSN denied that such comments were made. Its president, Sani Abdulahi, said the event was aimed at reminding Muslim students about the tenets of Islam.

    He said: “The disrupted programme was designed to use Bible and Quran to analyse moral decadence and other unfortunate events happening in our society. It was not intended to cause any rancour in the school community. We bring speakers, who have knowledge in both holy books to teach our members. But, we were surprised some students tried to turn it otherwise.

    “They totally misunderstood what the preacher said.

    “How can a true Muslim speak ill of Jesus as they alleged? Allah enjoined us to respect all prophets, including Jesus. The students, who disrupted our event, lacked good knowledge of Islam and Christianity. I think that was why they interrupted the event. If they knew a little about Quran and Bible, they would not have behaved in such manner.”

    The students were stopped by the school security personnel, who pleaded for calmness. The event was adjourned to calm frayed nerves.

    One of the agrrieved students, who simply gave his name as Segun, said they did not  plan to fight the MSSN members, noting that they were at the venue to correct the guest speaker.

    He said: “You are wrong to call what happened a protest. It was not; it was a correction exercise. The aggrieved students simply came out to say ‘no, we don’t like what you are saying’ to the speaker. We did not even beat anybody. We only told them to stop using uncomplimentary languages on Christianity.”

    Malam Abubakar, described as an Islamic scholar of international repute, denied the allegations, asking the students, who have the tape recording to release it for analysis.

    Malam Abubakar said: “By Islamic teachings, no man is a Muslim if he does not belief in Jesus Christ. Not just Jesus alone, but the entire prophets of God. The Muslims are enjoined to respect Mary, the mother of Jesus. Chapter 19 of the Quran is dedicated to Mary alone and her name was mentioned in 31 verses of the Quran.

    “Jesus is mentioned 500 times, even more than Prophet Mohammed. There are many miracles which Jesus did, which are contained in the Quran. So, it is wrong for anybody to come up and say a true Muslim insults Jesus. Let them come out with audio or video proof that I made such comments.”

    The Islamic scholar said he had not properly started his lecture before the event was disrupted.

    The school’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Eyo Effiong Bassey, described the incident as unfortunate, urging students to be peaceful. He hailed the security officers for their timely intervention.

    President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) Emmanuel Ajang pleaded for tolerance. He said he was invited to the event but could not attend because of his excursion to Obudu Mountain.

    He said “I approved the venue of the event for the MSSN to use. They invited me but I could not attend because of the excursion to Obudu Mountain. We must be tolerant of one another and channel our grievances through lawful means. I also want to caution us on our utterances in  public.”

    The Joint Christian Campus Fellowship (JCCF), an umbrella body of all Christian groups in school, said the action was uncalled for. Rasine Irem, JCCF’s president, said: “Christianity does not support violence in whatever guise. Jesus never asked us to defend him. The action of the students cannot be defined as action of true Christians. There is unity among all faiths here, religion difference cannot divide us. The action was carried out by hooligans.”

     

     

     

  • UNICAL students offer free HIV test, counselling

    The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has organised free HIV/AIDS counselling and test for students. It was organised by the union’s Director of Welfare, John Alawa.

    The initiative was supported by FHI 360, a non-profit organisation, which provided some of the equipment used in conducting the test. Volunteers were stationed in strategic locations on the campus to ensure that many students benefited from the exercise.

    Officials of the university’s Medical Centre and the National Youth AIDS Programme (NYAP) were at the male and female hostels and the main library to counsel those, who showed interest.

    A member of the NYAP team, Kelvin Ezechiode, said the number of students who turned out for the exercise was impressive compared to the past.

    “The number of students who turned out to be tested this year was quite encouraging, unlike what we used to have,” he said.

    Alawa, a 300-Level Medical Laboratory Science student, urged beneficiaries to keep to the counselling they had, adding that they must be careful in the way they handle sharp objects in order to stop the spread of HIV.

    He said: “Youths are the most vulnerable to be infected with the deadly disease because of their exposure to unsafe acts in their daily activities. As youths, we must continue to undergo the test to ascertain our status. If we want to eradicate the virus from our society, then it is a responsibility on us to make ourselves available for HIV test.

    A beneficiary, James Edet, said: “Knowing your HIV status puts you in a better position to be careful. The advantage of periodic test is enable infected people know their status on time before spreading the disease ignorantly. The test will also make those who are not infected to maintain their status. So, in any case, to know one’s status is the best thing to do.”

    The exercise was preceded by an awareness rally round the campus.

     

  • UNICAL unveils digital library

    The Pro-chancellor and chairman of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Governing Council, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has commissioned a high capacity Digital Library built for students in graduate school.

    Chief Iwuanyanwu, who was joined by Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke, and a member of the Council, Alhaji Muhammed Otumba, unveiled the facility in a colourful event last week.

    Prof Epoke, in a brief remark, noted that the event was made possible by the support of the Council. He praised Iwuanyanwu and members of the Council, noting that the project was one of the management’s efforts to ensure improved standard of academic lifestyle in the university.

    The digital library has a capacity of more than 200 users with a 75KVA stand-by generator to ensure a constant power supply to the facility. It has an adequate hosting bandwidth of more than one million users without interruption.

    According to the Dean of Graduate School, Prof Francis Bisong, the project was in line with the development master plan of the current administration in the university. He said: “The Library is now open to all staff and registered students of the institution. The library is also on subscription-based for non-members of the university community.”

    The Dean added that the digital library was built to link users to libraries of universities and educational organisations, such as National Universities Commission library, among others.

    The library is fitted with air conditioners to enhance comfort. Students and other users can access the library and its materials from their laptops, smart phones and other mobile devices, connected to the internet while outside the university.

  • Resumption blues at UNICAL

    Resumption blues at UNICAL

    Students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) are yet to return after the management announced the beginning of the second semester. The students are asking the authorities to extend their holiday to enable them prepare for lectures. STANLEY UCHEGBU (Accounting) reports.

    The University of Calabar (UNICAL) resumed for second semester last Monday. But students are not willing to return to school. They said the break given by the management after their first semester examination was short.

    While the management did not give any reason for the “short break”, students believe that it could be a way of re-adjusting the school calendar disrupted by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, which shut down universities for almost 11 months.

    According to the new calendar, academic activities are to begin on October 10, but the campus is in doldrums. When CAMPUSLIFE visited the campus last Monday, there were a few students around; many were yet to return to school. Visits to faculty offices showed course outlines and timetables were yet to be released.

    Some of the few students around, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, complained about the short semester break.

    “It is not up to one week we finished our first semester examination,” Sylvester Agande, 300-Level Economics student, said. A semester break should last, at least, three weeks for students to refresh and prepare for another, he added.

    Nelson Imeh, 300-Level Pure Applied Chemistry, said he was not happy with the management’s decision, saying the first semester was hectic for students.

    “I planned to go home and relax after exam, but management released the resumption date for second semester when students were yet to finish their exams. With this, we are expected to stay back on campus for the next three months,” he said. Nelson urged the management to extend the resumption date to enable students relax.

    The previous semester was stressful, said Jeremiah Eteng, a 100-Level Physics student, noting that students were hastily taken through the course outlines to make up for the lost months. “Now, we have resumed to be rushed again?  When are we going to rest?” she queried.

    Emmanuel Effiong, a Biochemistry student, said there would be pressure on students, given the management’s effort at making up for the lost period in the school calendar. He said: “With the way things are going, we would be put under pressure as they did last semester. The management should consider our plight and adjust the resumption date for to refresh our brains.”

    But an official of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), who craved for anonymity, said the management did the right thing in asking students to resume. He said: “We wasted time because of disruptions and strike. To me, the resumption is in order. When students are back, we will elect and inaugurate the parliament so that SUG can start work immediately.”

    Cynthia Ubong,  200-Level Agricultural Economics, said: “I am not interested whether the school resumes or not. I have to spend one month at home before returning to campus. I have to assist my parents, who are doing petty trading in Uyo. More so, I have to get prepared for the new semester.”

    Medical Radiography students complained about the resumption date, which they said was a deliberate attempt by the management to deny them their clinical posting that is normally done during the semester break.

    A 400-Level Radiography student, who identified himself as John Franklin, said: “If students are to resume on October 10, as ordered by the management, it simply means that we have been deprived of the mandatory clinical posting. We will return the log book given to us blank. This is not good for us because the requirement to be inducted as a radiographer is to have filled the 1000 cases of patients in the log book.”

    The management should consider extending the break for Radiography students, said Michael Essien, a 300-Level Medical Radiography student, adding: “I do not know why we are running the same calendar with other department. We are supposed to have a separate calendar like the Faculty of Law.”

    Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke, has reiterated that the management would not change the resumption date. Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE after inauguration of the SUG, the VC said: “The campus has been re-opened for second semester activities and this is why we are here to inaugurate the new SUG executive members. I advise students to disregard rumour of resumption date extension.”

     

  • UNICAL embraces e-voting

    UNICAL embraces e-voting

    The Students’ Union Government (SUG) election has finally been held at the University of Calabar (UNICAL). The exercise was cancelled, following the shooting of three students. STANLEY UCHEGBU (Accounting) and FRANK EJEAGBASI (400-Level Medical Physiology) report.

    The wind of innovation blowing across higher institutions has hit the University of Calabar (UNICAL). For the first time, theb Students’ Union Government (SUG) election was conducted through the electronic method known as e-voting.

    Students embraced the innovation because of the violence that marred the previous election held on August 6. There was pandemonium on the campus when members of the electoral committee conducting the exercise stopped voting. Students, who were yet to vote, saw the development as an attempt to install the management’s candidates. In the ensuing melee, stray bullets hit some students, which prompted the management to postpone the election.

    About two months after, the Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Prof Eyong Eyong, arranged a meeting with the Calabar University Electoral Commission (CUECO) led by Dr Anozeng Igiri and students to discuss how the election would be conducted. Although a few students turned up at the meeting but it was clear majority of them were willing to take a bet with the e-voting system.

    Prof Eyong said the management would ensure that the exercise would not be fraught with malpractices, stressing that the innovation would minimise the stress synonymous with the ballot method.

    Dr Igiri assured the students of a free and fair exercise, noting that e-voting was the only alternative for the management to avert post-election acrimony.

    On the modality of the election, Prof Eyong said only students who had paid school fees would be eligible to vote. The students, he said, would be sent a secret code via text messages on the eve of the election to enable them log into the university website from any location and vote for the candidate of their choice. He added that the votes would be monitored in a control room with agents of candidates and independent observers.

    A student, John Alawa, described the innovation as a “welcome development”, saying there would be no rancour and irregularities that usually attended manual voting.

    A day before the election, candidates moved round the campus to seek their colleagues’ support. Some took to social media, such as the Facebook, to canvass for votes and inform students about their programmes.

    At 10am on the day of the election, voting started. Some students gathered at the front of the New Library, designated for the e-voting. Others that have independent Internet source voted from the comfort of their hostels. Observers and candidates’ agents monitored the exercise in the control room. The university security personnel moved round the campus to ensure safety.

    CAMPUSLIFE observed some students mobilising colleagues to participate in the exercise. At the Faculty of Basic Medical Science, students provided laptops and Internet modem to encourage their colleagues to vote.

    President of Basic Medical Science students, Peter Akporido, said students provided computers to discourage apathy. He said: “We aware of the challenges that some of our students will be facing during the exercise. Some are not willing to participate and some may not want to go to designated voting centres. So we provided laptops with Internet to encourage them to vote.”

    This was the situation at the Faculty of Law and Clinical Science, where students floated voting centres to ensure stress-free exercise.

    About 30 minutes to end of the exercise, there were skirmishes at the Main Library voting centre, where supporters of a candidate alleged foul. They claimed that a computer operator was not sending their votes on the web. This resulted in hot argument, which almost ended in a fight but for the timely response of the security men.

    While many described the process as successful, it was inconclusive exercise for some students. Williams Usese, a student of Center of Educational Services, said part-time students were disenfranchised in the exercise. He said the secrete pin given to them could not be identified on the school’s website.

    At the male hostel, some students were seen complaining about their inability to log on with the secret code given to them. One of them, Emmanuel Ajagbe, said he was disappointed by the development.

    At 2pm, the voting ended. Dr Igiri, announcing the result, said a total of 1,171 students participated. Having polled 682 votes, Emmanuel Ajang, a Law student, was declared the president-elect. He defeated his two opponents, Emmanuel Akaobi and Nelson Akaobi, both from Faculty of Science.

    Inemesit Akpan, a student of Faculty of Allied Medical Science, beat Blessing Henshaw and Jennifer Oworhji with 617 votes to become the Vice President-elect.

    Others elected include Brenda Nsisong, Director of Sports; Chima Akpelu, Director of Information; Paschal Aniah, General Secretary; John Alawa, Director of Welfare; Michael Okon, Financial Secretary and Michael Okori, Assistant General Secretary.

    Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke, praised the electoral committee members for the success of the exercise, saying the e-voting had ended an era of electoral irregularities in the school.

  • History as girl bags first class in Radiography at UNICAL

    History as girl bags first class in Radiography at UNICAL

    Eteng Rajuno has made history by becoming the first student to bag a First Class in Radiography at the University of Calabar (UNICAL).  She was honoured at the eighth Induction and Oath taking of the College of Medical Science. STANLEY UCHEGBU (Accounting) reports.

    The induction at the College of Medical Science of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) was remarkable. Although it was the eighth oath taking at the Radiography and Radiological Sciences departments, it was special. An inductee, Ms Eteng Rejuno, made history by bagging a first class, the first since Radiography was introduced in the school in 1981.

    It was a moment of joy for the graduates, as they took the oath. The inductees filed into the  Conference Centre of the UNICAL Hotel venue, beaming with smiles. They were joined by their family members and friends.

    Of the lot admitted into the department five years ago, 61 were lucky to complete the programme. To the management, the ceremony was a turning point in the history of the institution and the Radiography Department.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke, led other principal officers, including the Medical Science Provost, Prof Saturday Etuk, represented by his deputy, Prof Edisua Itam; Dean of the Faculty of Allied Medical Science, Prof Anne Asuquo and Dean of the Faculty of the Clinical Science, Prof Maurice Asuquo.

    Others were Registrar, Radiography Board of Nigeria (RBN), Mr Michael Okpaleke, Cross River State Chairman of Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, Mr. Otu Asinyang, Medical College Secretary, Mrs. Uduak Akang, Head of Radiography Department, Dr Nneoyi Egbe, lecturers and medical practitioners, among others.

    Prof Epoke urged the inductee not to tarnish the reputation of the profession, saying the institution was known for producing sound radiographers. He told the inductees to shun unethical practices that may erode the value of the profession, adding that the RBN would not hesitate to withdraw certificates of erring members.

    “Today, history is made in the Department of Radiography. We produced the first student to be graduated with a First Class in the department. And this makes the event remarkable. I will enjoin you to always seek knowledge and make the best of your career,” he said.

    Prof Etuk, whose speech was read by Prof Itam, described radiography as an evolving profession, stressing the need for constant update of knowledge to meet up with challenges and demands. He urged the inductees to see themselves as new breeds that would bring about advancement in the profession.

    Okpaleke advised the graduates to improve on the knowledge they acquired in school and be conversant with new techniques. He said: “Knowledge you have acquired is just the foundation, you are expected to improve on it. You must be abreast of trends on the field and make a success of it. You need to continuously develop yourself in new techniques because the practice of today is different from what we had in the years past.”

    In his lecture entitled: Ethical basis for improving radiography service delivery, Dr Egbe demonstrated with diagrams how to maintain radiation dose and therapeutic need of patients in line with best practice. He said a radiographer owed a patient an enhanced service.

    The high point was the oath taking session, which was performed by Okpaleke and Dr Egbe.

    Eteng had Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.5 – the highest recorded since the institution started awarding Bachelor degree in the discipline. For the feat, Eteng bagged seven honours, including automatic employment in the school after her National Youth Service.

    Others best students are Emmanuel Agiande, who was the best in clinical proficiency, and Mabington Okwuonu, best in leadership creativity.

    Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Eteng praised the department’s lecturers and parents for their efforts in making their dreams come true.

    She said: “We thank the management, the college authorities, our parents, friends and well-wishers for the roles they played in ensuring that we are being inducted today. We specially appreciate our parents for their financial and moral support.”

    The inductees presented gifts to their lecturers and donated a generator to the department. This was done by Mabington,  a former president of Nigerian Association of Radiography Students.