Niger Delta
UNICAL VC Seeks TETFUND’s Assistance In Library, Senate Chamber Building
Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has appealed to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to come to the aid of the university in building a befitting library and a standard Senate building.
Obi made the appeal, Friday, in Calabar during the 35th convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar.
The convocation was held for first degree graduates of the institution, masters, diplomas and postgraduate diplomas; while the award of doctorate degrees was scheduled for Saturday.
She also called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to come to their aid in infrastructure development of the institution.
“Much as we do our best to create the conditions for the university we desire within the context of our realities, we have to let you know that the institution is hamstrung largely by paucity of funds, and many other problems.
“Most topical in the demands of the university is the provision of electric power which gulps a greater part of our internally generated revenue, leaving us struggling to meet other important needs.
“We are also in need of a standard senate building befitting of a second generation university of our standing.
“The university has for the past 2 years been without a central library due to a major structural defect which led to it being cordoned off following the advice of professionals in the building industry.
“We appeal for a special intervention from TETFUND to urgently come to our aid as there is no university without a functional library”, she said.
The VC also appealed to spirited individuals to intervene in the building of hostel accommodation for students of the institution.
She noted that the university was ready to give all the cooperation to any individual or corporate body to achieve this.
She said the university, with a population of over 36,000 students, has only 2,400 bed spaces for the accommodation of students.
“This accounts for less than 5 per cent against the National Universities Commission recommendation of 30 per cent of students that should be accommodated on campus”, she added.
She disclosed that the university was awarding 5,445 first degrees and 171 diplomas to persons certified worthy in character and learning in keeping with the academic tradition.
“Out of the 5,445 for first degrees, 11 persons distinguished themselves with First Class Honours, 1,062 with Second Class Upper Division, 3,647 have Second Class Lower Division, 721 got Third Class, while 4 have the Pass Degree.
“The Diplomas are as follows: Distinction 2, Merit 111, Credit 45, Lower Credit 1, Pass 11 and Certificate of Attendance 1.
“At the post-graduate level, we have 2,159 persons who have earned higher degrees and diplomas as follows: 553 PhDs, 1,104 Masters and 502 Post Graduate Diplomas”, she added.
Also speaking, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, Chancellor of the university, urged the graduands to make the best choice of the path they have chosen to follow.
Ado-Bayero, who is also the Emir of Kano, commended the VC for her outstanding leadership and for transforming the institution within the two years she assumed office.
He assured the university management that his vision as Chancellor was to make the University the best university in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Also, Retired Gen. Martin Luther-Agwai, Pro-Chancellor of the University, said the university was still grappling with inadequate facilities and funding.
Luther-Agwai said there was a need for the university to continue to institutionalise its relevance and civil engagement beyond the convocation ceremony to a more meaningful contribution to national development.
He assured that the university council would work hand-in-hand with the management to address some of the peculiar challenges.
One for the graduands, Mr Cleverty Njong, who had a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 5.00 in Law, Master degree, said his success came as a result of dedication and commitment to academic activities.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
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