By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
TheVice Chancellor, VC of the University of Calabar, Unical, Prof. Florence Obi, on Saturday, received commendation from President Muhammadu Buhari over the institution’s initiative for students to liverage upon so that they can use whatever skill acquired to become self-reliant.
The President charged management of Nigerian universities to continue to place much premium on training the students in the area of entrepreneurship education.
The president stated that this would engender a class of graduates who will graduate from school to become job creator rather than job seekers, to reduce the unemployment rate rocking the nations.
President Buhari gave the commendation during the 35th convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar, which took place at Abraham O’dia Stadium Calabar.
Represented by Nigeria’s Minister for Education, Mr Goodluck Opiah, the President stated that the administration remains fully focused on meeting legitimate expectations bothering on moulding the future through education.
Commending the management of the the institution for the introduction of entrepreneurship development programme and the partnership forged with both national and international development partners, President Buhari stressed that the handshake between the town and the gown was commendable.
The President said, “Let me also commend the university for effective collaboration and linkages with other institutions overseas, which would create opportunities for the students for scholarship and research.
“The successes recorded in terms of online result handling and management, as well as bold attempts at having a smart campus is also commendable.
“My administration remains fully focused on meeting legitimate expectations on moulding the future through education.
“I, therefore, challenge our universities to continue to emphasize training in entrepreneurship so as to enable our graduates to become job creators, instead of perennial job seekers.
“I also challenge you to work with the industries to increase the level of production going on in the country so that we can achieve a diversified economy.”
President Buhari averred that his administration’s commitment towards the growth of the educationl sector was evident in various intervention agencies, hence funding has been provided in addition to budgetary allocation.
He added, “This is evident in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, and NEEDS Assessment projects in public universities for improved facilities for meaningful research, teaching and learning.
“I commend the management of UNICAL for the sustained campaign against cultism, which has brought about a tremendously peaceful and congenial atmosphere for healthy academic enterprise through the decades.”
In her earlier remarks, Prof. Obi, stressed that Unical has been in dire need of funds for construction of a perimetre fence around the water front to curb cases of insecurity.
She stressed that since her assumption of office as the VC of the institution, in December 2020, she has made appreciable progress in repositioning the university by introducing reforms and providing facilities.
The VC said that the lecture pavilions, office complexes and two students’ hostels have been successfully completed under her tenure.
Prof Ibi added, “Within the time, we have also carried out massive renovation of hostels and furnishing of classrooms, while solar street lights have been installed, roads resurfaced, and drainages for flood control constructed.
“We are gradually achieving our smart campus goal through the utilisation of Information and Communication Technology resources.”
In his remarks, the newly installed Chancellor of Unical, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, pledged to everything within his reach to ensure that the institution remains competitive in the global academic community, as well as being the best university in sub-Saharan Africa.
Also speaking, the University Pro-Chancellor, Gen. Martin Luther-Agwai, rtd., stated that there is no doubt that the institution was underfunded.
Luther-Agwai averred that underfunding is partly due to dwindling inflow of funds from government sources of revenue.