…. UNICAL Produces World Class Graduates- Prof. Abiodun Adebayo
…. Ranking Alone Does Not Determine Academic Excellence – Dr. Ngozi Osarenren
…. UNICAL is Exceptional in Research and Development – Dr. Rita Ndidi
As the University of Calabar (UNICAL) set to mark her 50th anniversary in March 2025, tributes have started trickling on the institution’s notable achievements in research, both human capital and infrastructural developments as well as academic excellence over the years.
Speaking during a panel discussion at a colloquium organized as part of activities lined up to commemorate the institution’s 50th anniversary yesterday in Calabar, all the speakers, who are alumni of the university, were unanimous in their assessment of their alma mater.
Leading the conference with the theme “The University of Calabar and its Contribution to National Development”, an alumni of UNICAL, and the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Covenant University, Professor Abiodun Adebayo, recalled with a sense of fulfillment how destiny brought him to UNICAL in pursuit of his educational goal.
He said in spite of all odds on his path to secure admission into a university of choice, his eventual admission to study biochemistry in UNICAL marked the turning point in his life.
This, he noted laid the needed foundation in his life which over the years had inspired him to build a successful career in the academics. While expressing profound gratitude to his alma mater for grooming him not only to become a lecturer, but also a researcher of global repute, Adebayo disclosed that more world class graduates of UNICAL extraction abound, doing exceptionally well in their respective fields of endeavor.
“It was Nelson Mandela that said education is the most powerful tool which any nation or which you and I can use to change our world. I wish to let you know that UNICAL is that education that we have used and has reflected in who we are today. UNICAL has invested heavily in her graduates.
“No country can really develop unless her citizens are educated. UNICAL is said to be a university of excellence that has produced and is still producing globally competitive graduates that contribute significantly in economic development through research findings”, he said.
According to the award winning researcher, beyond her feat in human capital development, lately, UNICAL had recorded giant strides in infrastructural development, increasing number of departmental programmes from 74 to 116 as well as it gender friendly admission policy that encourages the female folk in the field of sciences.
“The UNICAL I knew many years ago is not the UNICAL I am meeting today. And, I have also done some work to see when she (the VC) came in. The programmes she introduced, the projects she has equally executed; they are quite alarming and heart breaking, and needs to be applauded here today.
“I also checked, those projects that were executed in year 2020/2021. The infrastructural development is amazing. Amazingly, the university has progressed and you cannot compare it with some other universities that started the same time. Female population in science related programmes now stands at 23%, it is the highest when compared among others, closely followed by Ekiti state university”, Adebayo added.
Also speaking, a panelist, Dr. Rita Ndidi, applauded the University of Calabar for the milestones recorded in her fifty years of existence. She stated that UNICAL is indisputably outstanding in the field of research and development.
Discussing online (via zoom), Ndidi, an alumni in the diaspora, said “UNICAL is reputed for doing several collaborations with international organizations and institutions in a bid to promote research and development. So, UNICAL at 50, to me, the institution has tremendously moved beyond what it used to be in the past. So, I will say congratulation to my alma mater because they have actually done so well.
“You will agree with me that all these researches do have an impact on economic development in the country even for Cross River state, as the case might be. They have created jobs. They have stimulated economic growth as well as contributed in key economic sectors like I said earlier. Look at tourism for instance, look at agriculture as well as manufacturing. UNICAL! I doff my hat for you.”
In her submission at the conference, another female panelist, Dr. Ngozi Osarenren, was of the opinion that ranking alone cannot determine academic excellence among universities in the country.
While acknowledging the invaluable contribution of UNICAL towards her career path as an academic, she said aside from research works, among other criteria, considerations such as visibility, leadership and administrative prowess should be factored into the processes of ranking universities.
Osarenren narrated how a former Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. James Epoke encouraged her during the presentation of her inaugural lecture in UNILAG even without knowing her.
According her, “Like I said during the radio interview this morning, whatever I am is as a result of UNICAL. During my inaugural lecture in the University of Lagos, the VC was there as my friend, I got the shock of my life including herself; my late VC, Prof Tokunbo started reading a letter and he said this letter is for you; the inaugural lecturer. It came from the former VC of UNICAL, Prof James Epoke, who I had never met before. The only reason was that he saw the full page advert of my inaugural lecture on Thisday newspaper. He saw my tertiary institution qualification, and sent the chairman, committee of deans to come to UNILAG and represent UNICAL because he felt these one is a product of UNICAL.
“How do you quantify what Prof Epoke’s letter to me did that day? It has never happened elsewhere. It has never happened before and after then. So, I am one of those people that believe that once UNICAL has done you well, you need to carry UNICAL to anywhere you go because that is the ranking we are talking about. We must learn to remember to pay back to our university.
“How many of us are waiting to plough back? Or are we waiting to see how we can make money out of the whole process. Ranking is good, but If it is visibility alone; UNICAL is number one. If its visibility alone among the seven (7) second generation universities in Nigeria, UNICAL is number. There is nobody in Nigeria today and beyond, that does not know the VC of UNICAL.
“May last year, Prof Florence was to give one public lecture in Lagos, VCs of other universities, and many people came because the adverts were heavy. They all came; they wanted to see her. How do we factor that into ranking of universities?”
Contributing in the same vein, another alumni, Mr. Paul Eshiemomoh, dwelt extensively on the malabitic spirit; a phrase describing the bond, tenacity and unity of purpose both among UNICAL undergraduates and every alumni.
According to Eshiemomoh, who is a legal practitioner, “Meet a malabite anywhere; he holds his ground. Whether the entire world is against him; a malabite will stand his ground. That is tenacious malabitic spirit. The malabitic spirit is resilient because of what we have gone through in the institution. We were molded, we were baked by the finest of professors and lecturers, and by the time you come out, like the Agege bread, every tongue will want to test you as a malabite.
“I met a malabite in the court, initially, I didn’t know he is a malabite. During a session in court, the judge was angry with him and instructed him to seat down, but he told the judge in a polite form; my lord, my client did not pay me to come and seat down. My lord, if you force me to seat down, how will I collect my money?”
Earlier, in his goodwill message, the University of Calabar Pro chancellor, and chairman in council, DIG Udom Ekpoudom (rtd.), expressed appreciation to both academic and non-academic staff of the institution for maintaining the academic standard, despite all odds.
However, he warned every bad element in the institution to change for the better, adding that it is only when positive reports emanates from the school that he as well as every alumni can confidently boast about UNICAL.
“I want us to know that UNICAL may not be as we were thinking. I would have been here when I wanted to school if UNICAL had been in existence. I thank the lecturers and others for maintaining the standard of this great university.
“I wish to advice the few ones who may wish to paint the university in a different color. Change for the good so that if I want to boast, I can boast with facts. No doubt, there are bad eggs everywhere. I congratulate UNICAL for its achievements in the past 50 years”, Ekpoudom stated in part.
In her opening address, the Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi Banku said the occasion affords every stakeholder of the institution an opportunity to reflect on her remarkable journey as a citadel of learning over the years with a view to brainstorm on the best way forward.
The VC, who noted that the theme of the conference “University of Calabar and its Contribution to National Building” is a testament to the institution’s dedication to fostering intellectual discourse, expressed confidence that the ensuing discussions and debates will be enriching and thought-provoking.
“As we mark this significant occasion, we reflect on the remarkable journey that has brought us to where we are today. From a humble beginning to our current status as one of the premier institutions of higher learning, our university has consistently demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence, innovation, infrastructural revolution and community service.
“Today’s colloquium, themed: “University of Calabar and its Contribution to National Building” is a testament to our institution’s dedication to fostering intellectual discourse, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. We have assembled a distinguished panel of experts, and I am confident that the discussions and debates will be enriching and thought-provoking.
“As we celebrate our past achievements, we also look to the future with optimism and anticipation. Our university remains committed to providing a transformative educational experience that prepares our students to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world”, Obi added.
Other panelists in the session which was moderated by the first female chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River state council; also an alumni of UNICAL, Comrade Archibong Bassey, were a former VC of UNICAL, Prof James Epoke, Dr. E.T. Abraham, Mr. Bassey Ekpo Bassey (Jnr.) among other great malabites.
Also in attendance were some academic and non-academic staff of UNICAL including the DVC Research, Linkages and Collaborations (RLC), Prof Peter Okafor; the DVC Academics, Prof. Tony Eyang and more.
