The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi has received members of the National Security Council of the Institution Alumni at the Council Chamber of the institution yesterday.
According to the National President of Unical Alumni, Prof. Yakubu Ochefor, the parley with the Vice Chancellor is part of preparation for the Annual General Meeting and first Home Coming slated for the first quarter of 2024.
Prof. Ochefor on behalf of the Council commended the Vice Chancellor’s effort in changing the trajectory of the University maintained that Unical graduates spread all over Nigeria and the world are very passionate about the affairs of the Institution and will continue to contribute their own quota that will add value within their individual capacity and in whichever positions they are holding to support the University of Calabar.
Eulogising the VC, Echefor said under her watch, the University has witness a significant progress particularly in the transcripts unit which used to be a sour point for alumni while encouraging the VC to sustain the tempo of ensuring swiftness in processing transcripts for students.
Prof. Echefor however called for a stronger synergy between the Alumni Association and the Vice Chancellor’s Office, noting that the Alumni body is always ready to give it best for the progress of the University.
Similarly, the Chairman Board of Trustees(BOT) of the Association, Rt. Hon. Bright Omokhodion also lauded the Vice Chancellor for her commitment in reshaping the Institution and the various ways she has handled challenges confronting the University.
While responding to the flurry of commendations from the Alumni body, the Vice Chancellor thanked them for coming while conveying the Management’s joy for having them around.
Prof Obi described the Alumni as critical stakeholders of the institution as she expressed happiness that as alumni of the institution, the association has been watching what is happening in the University, while recounting the support the body gave her administration from inception and during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The VC frowned at the constant demarketing of the institution on social media as she opined that no University runs its affairs on social media. Adding that once anything happens, before management will take any decision, it’s already on social media.
While this does not only affects the rating of the University, she explained that it has other negative effects even as she expressed optimism about the results of the ongoing accreditation exercise in some faculties and departments of the institution .
While informing the alumni alot of renewed efforts that has been put into digitising the transcript unit, she emphasized that by the time everything is completed, transcripts will be a click away especially for those who graduated in the last three years from the University.
She also gave assurances that her administration will continue to ensure that there is a closer bond between the Alumni Directorate and Alumni Relations.
Prof Obi used the occasion to formally inform the alumni that the University has won the hosting right for the Nigerian University Games Association(NUGA) slated for 2026 after 33years.
The President also advocates for stronger security collaboration to keep the University safe for students, staff and visitors while sympathizing with the VC for the death of Prof. Stella Effa Attoe whom he described as a passionate politician, academia and member of the pioneer students of the institution
The parley was attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof Angela Oyo-Ita, Research and Linkages counterpart, Prof Peter Okafor, Alumni National Vice President, Alex Belsan, Secretary, Barr. Chike Uzoma, Welfare officer, Augustine Ukandu and others.
Written By: Onigah Joseph
