Staff and students of the University of Calabar to proceed on break for a period of one month beginning from Monday, March 23, 2020 and to resume from Friday,  April 24, 2020.

By Inyali Peter

The crisis brewing between the federal government and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over government's insistence that they (ASUU members) must register in the controversial Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as well as other sundry issues is no longer news.

To better understand the issue and the truth especially as it concerns IPPIS, one needs to critically x-ray the consistency level of the two giants-ASUU and government. This is so because consistency is a virtue that's very scarce in people who are full of lies, blackmail, black propaganda and deceits.

From when this battle for the soul of University education in Nigeria started, one giant (ASUU) has remained very consistent in its position that the system will have negative effects on the overall growth of Universities, government in the other hand has been highly and proudly inconsistent throwing contradictory figures all in a bid to blackmail ASUU into doing what's obviously against the growth of the University system.

Recall that around January this year, the federal government claimed that 96,090 out of 130,000 Lecturers working in federal Universities in the country enrolled in the controversial IPPIS. The fictitious figure represents 70% compliance of academic staff.

However, the number is as unrealistic as everything the government has said about IPPIS. The entire about 40 or 43 federal Universities in Nigeria don't have up to 90,000 Lecturers not to even talk of 130,000.

According to National University Commission (NUC) statics,  the staff strength of federal Universities in Nigeria is 119,202. 83, 239 are non-teaching while 35, 963 are academic. Yet FG said over 90,000 Lecturers out of 130,000 enrolled in IPPIS. Where did they get the 95,000 extra Lecturers from?

Such imagination and falsehood wasn't enough. Having failed with the propaganda, one would have expected the government to know that it's a body of intellectuals they're dealing with but oh no; they didn't as they came out with yet another lie few weeks later. This time, they claimed 39,000 Lecturers registered which is still 3037 higher than the actual number of academic staff in federal Universities. Remember, they did not apologize or explain to Nigerians how they arrived at the first figure which has excess of 90,000 academic staff.

The conflicting figures should tell Nigerians including the Apostles of the IPPIS who see it as octopus with a messiac effect that will automatically stop corruption in Universities that the system is more corrupt than corruption itself. I refuse to believe that their claims are mere rhetorics. These people owe Nigerians alot of explanations.

Like a child that never learns, the same government came out last month again through the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed to claim that 55% academic staff have enrolled in the system. Going by her claim, this means that only 45% which represents the minority have not enrolled. That's to say that, only 45% of academic staff are on strike yet University education has been totally shutdown since the strike commenced.

The Minister was so careful this time not to throw another fictitious figure out but in her smartness, she still lied to Nigerians. If by any way majority academic staff complied with the anti-university education IPPIS policy, there's no way this government that doesn't appreciate the value of listening to the voice of reason
would have entered any form of  negotiation with the minority.

So, the claims and counter claims by government that should know better is a clear indication that there's more going on with the IPPIS than meets the eye. It should be very visible to the blinds and audible to the deaf that government is not being sincere with the claim of using IPPIS to fight corruption. Instead, it's institutionalizing corruption with the Accountant General as the Commander-in-Chief and his office as the headquarters.

Nobody is saying that there's no corruption in the system especially with the personnel budget. But ASUU has suggested and even reached agreement with government on how to tackle the issue systematically using the Presidential visitation panel but government has refused to implement it.

A platform they claimed was introduced to fight corruption has astronomically increased the number of academic staff from 35,000 to 130,000 which is still higher than the entire workforce of federal Universities in Nigeria. Is this not a clear sign that those in the office of the Accountant General are even registering their ancestors as Lecturers?

A report by the former Auditor General of the Federation exposed IPPIS as a fraudulent platform but since it was released, this same government that want to kill the University system in the name of fighting corruption has remained absolutely silenct about the issue.

In one of the revelations, the report revealed that as a result of deficiencies in IPPIS controls, there were series of potential overpayments. In the first case, it discovered that nearly 300,000 payments totaling N330 million where the gross pay differed from approved salary scale, with double payments of nearly N30 million in September – December, 2011.

This report of course is not of importance to the government since those manipulating the system to steal humungous amount of money are not Lecturers. Even when Senate indicted the account clerk (Account General) who is doing the hatchet job for the conservative few who want to destroy the system for failing to explain how his office spent N2.9b IPPIS funds, the government activated silence mood.

How about the billions the federal government is paying to some allies of some people in government from America who own this controversial platform? A government that says it's promoting patronage of made in Nigeria products left all our indigenous designers and computer scientists here to spend about N5b annually on a platform that would have been developed here in Nigeria. Isn't this shameful and indictment on the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for double standard?

A lot is wrong with this system and Nigerians need to understand that ASUU is fighting for the soul of University education in this country. If these people are allowed to carry on with their evil onslaught against tertiary education in the country, the system which is not even properly funded would be perpetually killed and buried. God forbid that this happens under the Buhari administration that many Nigerians including me believe was coming to do things differently.

The lamentations by SSANU, COEASU, NASU and residents Doctors over the fraud in salary payment by IPPIS has not only further justified the position of ASUU but has better exposed the danger the platform pose to the survival of University education in Nigeria.

ASUU is committed and ready to support any genuine measures by government to curb corruption in Nigeria at all sectors but won't allow the country to be destroyed by people who seem not to appreciate the value of education under the guise of fighting corruption.

Inyali Peter, a Lecturer in the department of Mass Communication, University of Calabar, Calabar writes from Calabar.

Results of the 312,000 candidates that sat for Saturday’s 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) nationwide have been released, says Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The Board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

Benjamin urged all concerned candidates to check their profiles for the results.

According to him, the board is optimistic that the entire exercise will be hitch-free, as it has worked assiduously to ensure that this year’s examination process will be one of the best ever conducted in recent times.

“I want to say that the Board is happy with the conduct of the examination on its first day, Saturday, March 14.

“This is not to say that we did not register one or two technical hitches.

“There is no way anyone can embark on such massive exercise without a few hitches.

“However, the good thing is that, as soon as our attention is drawn to such hitches, we tackle them immediately.

“So, the Board is fully on ground to take on these hitches as they come, but in all, I must tell you, that we are happy with the conduct of the examination so far,’’ he said.

Benjamin assured that the Board would continue to ensure quality service delivery in a bid to give every deserving candidate an opportunity to excel.

NAN reports that, in continuation of the exercise, a total of 469, 670 candidates on Monday sat for the examination in various centres across the country.

The JAMB Head of Media and Information said by Tuesday, March 17, such candidates’ results would also be ready. (NAN)

UNICAL VC Prof Zana Akpagu

I want to say a big congratulations to Prof. Zana  Itiumbe Akpagu, the Vice Chancellor (VC), University of Calabar for a successful conduct of the 33rd Convocation Ceremony of the University which is continuation of  conducting the ‘year on year’ convocation ceremonies since he became VC.

He has truly shown that he is not a man just tagged with the name “Project Manager” because  his numerous developmental strides in the areas of Infrastructure, Manpower, Agriculture, Enterprise, ICT, etc evidences his actionable words and promises to all malabites and malabresses.
He has also shown his mettle in the general coordination and system management of the University for Effective Service Delivery.

In fact, It was Prof. Ndem Ayara's appointment as DVC Academics coupled with some of the quality hands currently at the helm of affairs in the University such as, the Bursar, Registrar, etc that has completely endeared Prof. Zana Akpagu to me as a leader and astute administrator.
His doggedness in getting the best hands to steer the ship of the university to the Eldorado of achievements made him stand out in my mind.

Prof. Ndem Ayara, DVC Academics, UNICAL

I see a good future ahead for the University of Calabar, long after Prof. Zana Akpagu steps aside. My fervent prayer for the VC, is for him to remain focused and never allow distractions and unholy manipulations from any quarter to distort his quest to leave a formidable team for the university thereafter.

Akpagu nicknamed mr. Projects for his Developmental strides. 

Prof. Zana Akpagu

Vice- Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the support the institution has enjoyed from the federal government since he assumed office in 2015.

Akpagu, regarded as the best VC ever in the history of the University and also, a winner of several awards including best Vice Chancellor in Nigeria stated this in an address on Friday at the 33rd convocation ceremony of the institution.

He stressed that without the support of the federal government through Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund) as well as other interventions his achievements wouldn't have been possible.

Recall that Akpagu nicknamed "Mr. Project" for his giants developmental strides has completed more than 30 capital intensive projects since assuming office in 2015. The 33rd convocation was the fifth under his watch and the first time in the history of the University to have such numbers in a row.

While lauding his management team for supporting him to fulfill his objectives, he expressed optimism that thoughtful initiatives in the institution would provide basic catalyst for increased academic productivity.

According to him, "I am pleased to formally convey the gratitude of the institution to Mr President for the immense benefits that have trickled down to us through Tetfund interventions and most recently, the inclusion of the University of Calabar in the Energizing Education Programme of the Federal Government aimed at providing dedicated, clean and reliable power "

Prof.Akpagu who touched on expansion of curricular offerings, infrastructure development,  increased productive capacity, industrial harmony  among other things noted that the seeds for sustainability in these critical sectors  would enrich the University and address the syndrome of manpower shortage in  critical areas.

"We have carefully sown the seeds for the sustainability and ultimate expansion of these programmes, which we believe will in the next ten years, enrich the immediate community, Cross River State and the country at large.

"My appointment as Vice- Chancellor of this university, my Alma Mater about 4 years ago, was not only a privilege and an honour ,it was also an engagement with history. I am obliged to account for my duty tour".

About 3500 students which include 3100 undergraduates and 400 postgraduate students were awarded degrees this year. Of this number, 13 bagged first class, 549 second class upper, 1010 second lower and 385 had third class.

The convocation continued yesterday with  the award of Post Graduate Diplomas, Masters and Doctorate Degrees as well  conferment of prestigious doctorate degrees (honoris causa) to Liberia Vice President, Jewel-Howard Taylor, Prof. Anthony Nyong, Director African Development Bank and two others.

By Inyali Peter

Convocation is an important academic exercise that every serious student look up to after years of hard work. Students who understand why they're in the University will always want be part of the special day in their academic life where their sleepless nights will be rewarded with their hard earned degrees. In fact, even the unserious ones or the non-academic students lookout for this day.

Beyond the euphoria and beauty of dressing beautifully in the traditional academic regalia before sponsors, friends and family during convocations,  the ceremony is a moment where the entire University community and well wishers celebrate one's development and accomplishments. It's usually an emotional and proud moment for every Students, parents and the University.

As Deans of various facilities present their students to the entire world as fulfilling all requirements to be awarded degrees, there's usually this excitement that cannot appropriately be described. The exercise doesn't only boost the confidence of the graduating students that they have come of age, matured and ready to take more responsibilities as well as add value to the society, the exercise is as symbolic as it is historic. It's a defining moment for both the school and the students.

Convocation is a tradition that according to academic culture cannot be substituted for anything. The bragging rights of some of world leading Universities is their ability to graduate students every year as at when due. It is the only universally recognised moments where students are to be awarded their degrees and celebrated by their Universities.

Unfortunately, as important as it is, most Nigerian Universities don't attach the due premium it deserves to it. Some higher institutions in the country don't even appreciate the need of formally and properly graduating students. There's no record of any University in Nigeria missing out in matriculation but alot exist as it concerns convocation. Even the holy book says the end is greater than the beginning but ironically, Nigerian Universities see the beginning as being greater than the end as most pay more attention to matriculation than convocation which is the capstone of every academic experience.

University of Calabar, one of the 3rd generation Universities in Nigeria didn't escape this "Nigeria" syndrome until recently when a quintessential administrator, a man of valor, deep vision and wisdom, an intellectual luminous, Prof. Zana I. Akpagu who understands and appreciates what Solomon, the man of wisdom and beloved son of King David said in Ecclesiastic 7:8 that "better is the end of a thing than the beginning"... assumed office as the Vice Chancellor of the University.

One of the promises he made on the day his predecessor, Prof. James Epoke formally handed over to him after he withered all the storm to emerge the first alumnus VC of the University was that under his watch, Unical will adopt world best practice in terms of convocation by ensuring that students are properly graduated yearly as at when due. With the 2020 convocation of the University holding tomorrow, Prof. Akpagu has not only fulfilled his promise but has proven his doubters who saw his vision as being too utopia or herculean to achieve wrong.

The academic excellence and reputation of any institution depends on the quality of education and training imparted. There's no better way to
demonstrate this more than a convocation ceremony. It serves as a living proof of the quality of education that has been imparted to the students. It is an evidential proof of the hard work both for the students and staff have put in to add to the socio-economic development of the country and the world at large.

The importance of convocation are too enormous and cannot be overemphasized. How it was until Akpagu came to power before Unical realised this is not far fetched. Of course, as an alumnus of the University, occupying the enviable rank of a VC was always going to place a moral burden on him
to try to correct all the wrongs he noticed as a student. Maybe, during his time, he wasn't graduated properly and in time.

Also, his deep vision and proven performance antecedents in previous positions, government and within the University, always meant that he was going to do things differently as well as succeed where others had problems.

The 33rd convocation ceremony and the 5th under Akpagu's watch is a record breaking event as this will be the first time since the institution was established 45 years ago that Students will be properly graduated consecutively for five years. The 32rd which was last year was a new record he set which  he has now broken himself.

Because convocation has held consecutively for five years, his record has also gone beyond how many times to how many students he has graduated as VC. By the time the 2020 convocation ceremony will come to an end on Saturday, it will be on record that Akpagu has graduated more students; over 45,050 which is more than any VC in the history of the institution.

The breakdown of the over 45,000 graduands who bagged diplomas, first degrees and post graduate degrees in different fields of study shows that in 2016, that's Unical 29th convocation, 7,222 were graduated. In 2017 during the 30th convocation, 13,347 graduates were produced. In 2018 at the 31st convocation, the University graduated 11,807, in 2019, during the 32nd convocation, it was 9,174 students'that graduated and in 2020 which is the 33rd and the last under his watch, over 3,500 people have been pencilled down for graduation.

It's not surprising that the number of students to be graduated this year are the least since he assumed office. This is simply because in the previous convocations, he cleared and graduated a backlog of people he inherited from previous administrations who were ready for graduation but couldn't because of the inability of the institution to organise convocation for them. So for this year, majority of those who will be graduating are people who are rightly to graduate this academic session.

Similarly, by the time Prof. Akpagu will be drawing the curtain close at the expiration of his tenure, he will walk with shoulders high having produced the highest number of first class graduates in the history of the University in the five convocations. The number stands at about 170 which represents 12 in 2016, 22 in 2017, 32 in 2018, 51 in 2019 and 13 in 2020. This is the highest any VC has graduated in five years.

Many would wonder why the number is seemingly small considering that some Universities in Nigeria are today producing over 100 first class in a single year, the difference to Prof. Akpagu is in the quality not quantity. This is however not to outrightly condemn the universities that produce humungous number of first class but to say that although the number from Unical in the past five years seems small, the quality is huge. Perhaps, many of the leading universities in the world are not known for producing out-of-the-world numbers of first class.

Besides, Akpagu has also commissioned more projects during convocations than any VC in the history of the University. Between 2016-2019 convocations, Akpagu completed and commissioned many projects including lecture pavilions, class rooms, laboratories, resource rooms and libraries for some departments and faculties, dance studio, parking lot, hostels, faculties and departmental permanent buildings. The list is endless! This year alone, he's set to commision a 60 room hostel and a Police Station amongst others built within a year.

Aside all this records, Akpagu's innovative mind has led him to add a unique feature to the colourful convocation ceremonies of the University. This is the Research Fair and Exhibition. This unique programme presents the University with the opportunity to showcase its breakthrough in research and development.

It's an open secret that most research outcomes or work are always found in the toilets in Nigeria. In trying to encourage Scholars as well as improve the reputation of the institution, the VC introduced this as a platform of marketing the research accomplishments of the University. This, of course has been applauded by many as a noble initiative.

Although the 33rd convocation which will be his last is itself a record, the event will set many other records. One of which is giving Unical international colouration by honouring the incumbent Vice President of Liberia, Her Excellency Jewel-Howard Taylor. This will be the first time in the history of the University and maybe, the country that a public University like Unical will be awarding a foreign Vice President an honourary degree.

The benefit of this to the reputation of the University is mouthwatering. Apart from building a strong mutually beneficial relationship between the University and Liberia, Unical will be formally inducting a foreign VP into its alumni. This is no mean feat.

Despite the challenges of poor funding and recession which ushered Akpagu in as VC, those who insisted that it must be him or nobody in 2015 can walk tall today in celebration that they made not just the best choice but the right one in having him as the 10th VC of Unical.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu has revealed that the Vice President of Liberia, Her Excellency, Jewel-Howard Taylor will be honoured with an honourary doctorate degree during the forthcoming 33rd convocation ceremony of the institution.

Prof. Akpagu disclosed this today (Tuesday) during a pre-convocation press briefing which held at the institution's Senate Chambers to Kickstart activities for the exercise which is scheduled to hold on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th February, 2020 respectively.

The VC also announced activities lined up for the ceremony which will be the 5th in his administration and the first time in the history of institution to have convocation for five consecutive years.

After the briefing which held earlier in the morning today (Tuesday, 10th) as part of the convocation activities, the VC announced other activities to include a visit by members of the management staff of the University to the Palace of Ubong of Calabar to formally notify and invite the monarch to the event.

On Wednesday, February 11th, the exercise will continue with an inter-denominational service at 10:am at the institution's international conference centre.

It will continue on Thursday with research fair and exhibition behind the Unical Lawn Tennis Court in the morning. By 2pm, the exercise will continue with a convocation Lecture titled : "The 4th Industrial Revolution: Implication for Climate change and Africa Development. It's to be delivered by Prof. Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth Development at the Africa Development Bank. By 6pm, there will be cocktail and command performance at the China Achebe drama theatre.

On Friday, February 12 will be the first day of the convocation proper for undergraduates. The activities for the day will kickstart with commissioning of projects including 60-rooms female hostel, well equipped Police Station amongst others.

The convocation ceremony will hold at the Abra Odiah Stadium in the University. Over 2,500 graduands will be awarded first degrees and diplomas on the first day.

On the second day,  Saturday, will be for people bagging higher degrees, confirmation of honourary degrees and induction into the alumni.

Along with the Liberia Vice President, three other persons will also be conferred with honourary Doctorate degrees. They are, former Permanent Secretary with the Federal civil service, Chief Ann Ene-Ita, Prof. Anthony Nyong, Director, Africa Development Bank and Alhaji Mai Abdullahi Muhammadu Askira, the Emir of Askirawa.

Are you among those aspiring for Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps recruitment 2020? If yes, follow the lead below to check if you are shortlisted for the pre-screening exercise.

IMPORTANT! Currently, Civil Defence Corps recruitment form 2020 is not yet out online, DISREGARD any form of advert you come across. This page will be updated immediately the form is out.

This is to inform all applicant that the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps full list of shortlisted candidates for 2020 pre-screening examination will be done nationwide in all the centers published here online.

Candidates who applied for the exercise can now check their names on the published list of shortlisted candidates for Nigerian pre-screening test using the procedure provided below:

Civil Defence Board will release the list of successful candidates based on;

Principle of Federal Character to ensure geographical spread
Physical fitness
Qualification
Performance at the recruitment examination/interview
N/B: All Shortlisted candidates will receive a congratulatory message with the venue, date and time of screening.

Update for all Applicant
All successful candidates for the screening exercise should proceed to check their names to confirm their eligibility for the final interview. Candidates are also required to come to their various states screening centres nationwide with the following items:

Original and photocopies of their credentials.
Birth Certificate or Age Declaration
Passports and full size 5 x 7 photographs.
Writing materials (Biro and Pencil)
National Identity card/International Passport.
N/B: Please note that the Nigerian Civil Defence will never ask you to pay anything to get shortlisted. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and invited for an Aptitude Test. Aptitude Test notifications will be sent via e-mail and SMS.

How to Access Civil Defence Shortlisted List
Applicant are required to check their GMAIL or YAHOO MAIL Address used during the registration exercise for possible update about the next phase of the recruitment.

– ACCESS CIVIL DEFENCE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE VIA EACH STATE BELOW;

Abia State
Adamawa State
Akwa Ibom State
Anambra State
Bauchi State
Bayelsa State
Benue State
Borno State
Cross River
Delta State
Ebonyi State
Edo State
Ekiti State
Enugu State
FCT (Federal Capital Territory)
Gombe State
Imo State
Jigawa State
Kaduna State
Kano State
Katsina State
Kebbi State
Kogi State
Kwara State
Lagos State
Minna State
Nassarawa State
Niger State
Ogun State
Ondo State
Osun State
Oyo State
Plateau State
Rivers State
Sokoto State
Taraba State
Yobe State
Zamfara State

If you applied for civil service recruitment 2020, you are advised to login to your email first to check if NSCDC sent you a congratulation message as a shortlisted candidate. If yes, print the acknowledgment email and attach it with your acknowledgment slip which you printed after the registration and take both to your training center which should be in the last email sent.

CRUTECH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, LAGOS CHAPTER

                  NOTICE OF SUSPENSION

The Comrade John Otu led exco, through the power vested on me by the Alumni Constitution, and Ratification of congress hereby SUSPEND the under listed with IMMEDIATE EFFECT:

Anastasia Edor
Walter Nandi Esom
Mathew Obetem
Eyam Abeng
Eraye Jerry

The above mentioned have demonstrated a desperate attitude by trying to hijacking the leadership platform of Lagos Chapter, for selfish motives.

They have exhibited gross misconduct and also been  instigating crisis in the chapter.


They are hereby BANNED from participating and relating with the chapter at any capacity INDEFINITELY.

The National Alumni Association, and general public, are hereby advised to Dissociate from according THEM  Rights and Privileges of Active Chapter members HENCEFORTH.

🖊️🖊️🖊️

Com. John Otu,
Lagos Chapter Chairman, Crutech Alumni.

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB due to some reasons has postponed the date of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination to a new date which is now meant to start coming up from the Saturday 14th of March, 2020, Monday 16th of March 2020, Tuesday 17th of March, 2020, Wednesday 18th of March,2020, Thursday 19th of March,2020, Friday 20th of March,2020 and Saturday 21st of March 2020.



Candidates are urged to go with the syllabus that was released and read through their complete notes as it has been broadcasted that Millions of candidates have obtained the form within the first few weeks.

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board has just released a new cut off mark for various instructions.

This cute off mark should be the target of the candidates that are sitting for the examination which will be used in determining their grade and later for their admission conclusion.

Public Universities - 200

Private Universities - 120

Public Polytechnics - 180

Private Polytechnics - 110

Colleges Of Education - 100

Student/Candidates are thereby advised to work towards scoring marks that are even greater than the above listed ones as the cut off might change again if there is Higher Competitive Scores among candidates aspiring for institutions.

SUBEB boss presenting the gift to Anita

The Executive Chairman, Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (CR-SUBEB), Dr Stephen Odey has presented a 50,000 naira cash reward to Odidi Anita Nkpa, a primary 5 Pupil of St Thomas’s RCM Primary School,Edor- Ikom LGA, in recognition of her outstanding performance at the recent commissioning of a 9 classroom block with Library, Lavatories and Offices.

The Board Chairman who was visibly impressed with her presentation, stated that the reward will serve as an encouragement to Anita and other pupils of the school to choose hard work and dedication over laziness. He added that all hands must be on deck to provide the necessary support for her to excel.

Anita

“The Education Secretary and the Head teacher should monitor her progress, try to give her all the necessary support so that we can collectively send her to the best schools in Cross River State.  She is going to make this State proud. Thank God the governor is preparing to commission the British-Canadian International School, we hope that this girl will be one of the students,” he said.

Commending the Head teacher and Staff of St Thomas’s RCM primary school, Dr Odey said “from what I have witnessed here, we need more teachers like you who are alive to their responsibilities in all our schools.”

While stating that the success and progress recorded in any community is by the number of educated people they have. Dr Odey appealed to parents not to relent in providing education for their children.

According to him, “The population of this school is very encouraging, I must thank parents within this locality that have taken delight in sending their children to school. That is the best thing you can do for your children, education is key. I stand here to talk to you in the capacity of the Executive Chairman because of education, without education I will not be on that seat. I am appealing to all parents to send their children to school, spend the money you have to give them the best education. My parents are farmers but I am able to get this far in life because they encouraged me to go to school. I encourage all parents to do the same and you will not regret it,” he emphasized.

The Executive Secretary, Ikom, Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Mrs Caroline Okongor extended gratitude to the Board Chairman for his generosity. She said the gesture will motivate other pupils to strive for excellence.

Describing him as a pragmatic leader, Mrs Okongor, commended the Board Chairman on his laudable achievements in the basic education sector and further appealed to him to do more in terms of infrastructural development and increase staff strength in schools.

The cash reward was as a result of Anita Nkpa’s confidence and fluency while presenting a welcome address on behalf of the school’s Head teacher.

The beneficiary, Anita Nkpa, thanked the Board Chairman for the cash reward and the newly commissioned class room block. She added that she will remain dedicated to her studies to justify the confidence reposed in her.

Anita Nkpa was also awarded with a 1 year scholarship, by the Executive Secretary, Ikom LGEA.

You will recall that the Board Chairman recently awarded a 3 year scholarship to Ijato Godsgift, a JSS 1 student of Yache Community Secondary School, for his outstanding performance during the commissioning of a 9- class room block in Yache Community Secondary School, Yala LGA.

Did you know that despite the lean financial position of the state, Gov. Ben Ayade has made CRUTECH the highest paying state University in Nigeria?

He is the first Professor to govern the state and also a former Lecturer.  He understands how better welfare package helps to keep academics motivated.

What Governor Ayade has done for CRUTECH, there's no Governor since the birth of the University that has done it.

He became Governor at a time CRUTECH was known for incessant industrial actions. Some of the things responsible for the industrial disputes were agitation for improved welfare for staff as it concerns Earned Academic Allowances as well as the agitation for increase in the monthly subvention from government to the University.

Swiftly, Governor Ayade responded by merging Lecturers Academic Allowances to the salary thereby making the institution the highest paying state University in Nigeria.

Today, ASUU is planning to go on strike because of this because the federal government has refused to replicate the Gov. Ayade's template in federal institutions.

Also, he increased the institution's monthly subvention from N169m to N215m; the exact sum the institution requested at the time to enable management pay salaries.

He equally provided the University with more vehicles.

It's also on record that since he became Governor, the institution has not lost accreditation for any of its courses put forward for accreditation.

NUC has visited the University more than three times since he assumed office in 2015 and CRUTECH has not only sustained her programmes 100% but got approval to  expand her curriculum offerings to run more departments and faculties.

Similarly, CRUTECH was about five years without convocation at the time he assumed office. But in 2017, barely two years in office, the Governor approved funds for a joint convocation for five different sets.

Personally, I didn't attend the convocation because I didn't find it appealing again five years after graduation. In fact, at the time of the joint convocation, I had already completed my Master Degree Programme.

During the convocation, Gov. Ayade also instituted N100m research grant to encourage research and development in the institution.

These are just a few things the Governor has done to make the institution better.

There's no doubt that CRUTECH like any other public University in Nigeria needs more funding, but when people come on social media to paint a picture like CRUTECH is the worst funded University in Nigeria, it  becomes expedient to remind them that Gov. Ayade has done more.

Also, remind them that he did all these despite Cross River state receiving the least monthly federal allocation since the return of democracy in 1999.

There was a time Cross River was one of the richest states in South South but the only news that was coming out of CRUTECH was strike and not improved funding as it is today.

Hopefully, when the Governor  assents to the amended CRUTECH Establishment Bill, more good news will come the way of the Institution.

By Uchino Amatey

The Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (CR-SUBEB) has commissioned a borehole, a 9-classroom block, comprising of library, lavatories, and offices at St Thomas’s R.C.M Primary School, Edor, Ikom LGA.

Commissioning the projects, the Executive Chairman CR-SUBEB, Dr Stephen Odey congratulated members of the community for being one of the beneficiaries of the whole school model approach, which he reiterated was to ensure a more conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.

Dr Odey thanked pupils and members of the community for the warm reception, and assured them of the State government’s commitment to continuously improve the quality and standard of education in the State.

“On behalf of his Excellency, prof. Ben Ayade, I thank you for coming out to receive us despite your busy schedules, you have sacrificed your time and other engagements to be here today.  I can tell you it is very difficult for any community member to stand up to raise a building like this alone, but government can do it for you. In the past, people believed that the only way for government to do projects like this for you is when you have people in government who will push for them. But, I want to say that under the Prof. Ben Ayade’s administration we do not wait for people in government to push for projects for their people, what we have constantly done is to seek out communities that require attention and provide projects such as these and we will continue to do more,” he said.

He called on traditional rulers, members of the community and staff of the school to compliment government’s efforts by protecting school facilities against theft and vandalism. Dr Odey added that the only way to attract more facilities from government is by safeguarding and utilizing existing ones.

“As you are requesting for more things from us, ensure that you take care of the things we are going to provide for you, secure them. It is the duty of Community leaders, Community members and staff of this school to protect what you have, traditional rulers should discipline anyone caught stealing or destroying any school property. By the time we procure more tables and chairs we are going to ensure that this school receives some so that pupils will be comfortable in this accommodation. Do not allow anybody carry any school property away from the school, that is the only way we can do more for you. No matter how beautiful this school premises is now, if it’s not maintained it is going to get bad in the next couple of years,” he emphasized.

Presenting an address on behalf of the Clan Head of Abangork, HRH, Ntol Ferdinand Ekpando, the Chairman, Clan Council, Mr Daniel Ngore commended the State Government for siting the project at Edor and revamping the school environment.

According to him “in 1946 our forefathers through the support of the Christian Missionaries had the vision of acquiring western education in a small thatch hut with a population of 12 pupils and 2 teachers. Currently the school has grown to a population of 1077 pupils, 24 teachers and 5 non-teaching staff. The state government through SUBEB and UBEC are worth commending for making the dreams of our forefathers come true by transforming the small thatch hut in to a beautiful and conducive teaching and learning environment. As history is being made today we gather here to witness the official commissioning and handing over of this gigantic project, we say a very big thank you.”

Mr Ngore further appealed for the construction of Assembly hall, staff quarters and the completion of the school perimeter fence to check trespassing, stealing and vandalism.

Presenting the welcome address on behalf the Head teacher, Mrs Julina Egigor, a primary 5 pupil of St Thomas’s RCM Primary School, Anita Nkpa extended gratitude to the Board Chairman, Dr Stephen Odey for his dedication and inspiring leadership style which she said has brought about unimaginable transformation in the basic education sector.

Stating that the siting of the 9 classroom block in Edor is strategic as it will lead to enrollment explosion, Nkpa said “the siting of this project will change the narrative that public primary schools are dumping grounds for the rural poor.”

She further stated that the model school structure with state of the art facilities will put St Thomas’s RCM Primary School at the forefront of quality teaching and learning thereby enhancing academic excellence.

Several pupila of the school thanked the Board for giving the school a facelift, they pledged to put the facilities to good use and abstain from vandalism.

It is certainly not the best of times for some members of Staff of the University of Calabar as the institution has wielded the big stick on some of them for engaging in various forms of fraud and misconduct.

Consequent upon this, the Governing Council of the institution rose from its 157th meeting with a resolve to terminate the appointment of 5 Staff and demotion of 3 others, over what it described as “gross misconduct”.

After thorough consideration of the report of its Disciplinary Committee, Council decided to use the sledge hammer on the erring staff for indulging in acts that contravenedrelevant laws of the University.

The termination and demotion of these staff was, however contained in separate letters signed by the Registrar of the institution, Mr. Gabriel Egbe and dated January 23, 2020.

ALSO UNICAL Retires 2 Over Official Misconduct

Those whose appointments were terminated are; Mr. Valentine Eworo and Ms Theodora Agama both of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry. They were relieved of their appointments for allegedly altering Examination grades and Results of Organic Chemistry II, General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II Courses for some students of the Department.

Also, Mr. Samuel Philip Bassey of the Dean’s Office, Faculty of Arts, was also sacked for defrauding the University by cloning the signatures of the immediate past and present Vice Chancellors, on a purported ‘’authorization to travel form’’ which enabled him obtain funds from the University for Conference attendance.

Similarly, Mr. Egbala Bassey of the Vice Chancellor’s office was also sacked for his alleged involvement in acts of Financial Misconduct and employment racketeering. He was said to have collected monies from some persons with the intention of facilitating and securing employment into the University.

Mrs. Roseline Etim Eyo of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies was also dismissed for misconduct.

In the same vein, Mrs. Comfort Felix Aya, Mrs. Ugo Samuel Bassey and Mr. Richard Uno Inyang were all demoted by one rank for allegedly making false claims and obtaining monies from the University.

For Ugo Samuel, Council directed that the sum of N150, 000(One Hundred and fifty thousand naira) be refunded to the institution on or before February 29, 2020.

The termination and demotion takes effect from the 13th of December 2019 while that of Mrs. Roseline takes effect from May 6, 2019.

In a related development, the institution has commended Prof. Ikana Uwah and Mr. Francis Akpan of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry for the role they played in promptly reporting sharp practices perpetrated by some members of staff in the department.

According to a letter signed by the University Registrar, the institution is impressed with their swift action in reporting the unethical conduct of Ms Theodora Agama and Mr. Valentine Eworo both of which engaged in alleged falsification of Examination Result/Grades.

The letter stated that they acted responsibly and in the overall interest of the University.


UNICAL SACK 5 STAFF, DEMOTE 3 OVER GROSS MISCONDUCT

It is certainly not the best of times for some members of Staff of the University of Calabar as the institution has wielded the big stick on some of them for engaging in various forms of fraud and misconduct.

Consequent upon this, the Governing Council of the institution rose from its 157th meeting with a resolve to terminate the appointment of 5 Staff and demotion of 3 others, over what it described as “gross misconduct”.

After thorough consideration of the report of its Disciplinary Committee, Council decided to use the sledge hammer on the erring staff for indulging in acts that contravenedrelevant laws of the University.

The termination and demotion of these staff was, however contained in separate letters signed by the Registrar of the institution, Mr. Gabriel Egbe and dated January 23, 2020.

Those whose appointments were terminated are; Mr. Valentine Eworo and Ms Theodora Agama both of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry. They were relieved of their appointments for allegedly altering Examination grades and Results of Organic Chemistry II, General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II Courses for some students of the Department.

Also, Mr. Samuel Philip Bassey of the Dean’s Office, Faculty of Arts, was also sacked for defrauding the University by cloning the signatures of the immediate past and present Vice Chancellors, on a purported ‘’authorization to travel form’’ which enabled him obtain funds from the University for Conference attendance.

Similarly, Mr. Egbala Bassey of the Vice Chancellor’s office was also sacked for his alleged involvement in acts of Financial Misconduct and employment racketeering. He was said to have collected monies from some persons with the intention of facilitating and securing employment into the University.

Mrs. Roseline Etim Eyo of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies was also dismissed for misconduct.

In the same vein, Mrs. Comfort Felix Aya, Mrs. Ugo Samuel Bassey and Mr. Richard Uno Inyang were all demoted by one rank for allegedly making false claims and obtaining monies from the University.

For Ugo Samuel, Council directed that the sum of N150, 000(One Hundred and fifty thousand naira) be refunded to the institution on or before February 29, 2020.

The termination and demotion takes effect from the 13th of December 2019 while that of Mrs. Roseline takes effect from May 6, 2019.

In a related development, the institution has commended Prof. Ikana Uwah and Mr. Francis Akpan of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry for the role they played in promptly reporting sharp practices perpetrated by some members of staff in the department.

According to a letter signed by the University Registrar, the institution is impressed with their swift action in reporting the unethical conduct of Ms Theodora Agama and Mr. Valentine Eworo both of which engaged in alleged falsification of Examination Result/Grades.

The letter stated that they acted responsibly and in the overall interest of the University.

In its avowed determination to stamp- out corruption and other forms of misconduct from the institution, the University of Calabar has compulsorily retired two members of staff from service for engaging in various forms of corruption.

While Mrs Helen Obeten was retired from service for involving in acts of financial misconduct and employment racketeering, Mrs Felix Aya of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management was retired for gross insubordination, abandonment of duty and disrespect for constituted authorities.

This was conveyed in a letter signed by the Registrar of the institution and dated January 23, 2020.

According to the letter, their retirement was sequel to a report from the University of Calabar Governing Council Disciplinary Committee report which found them culpable of the offences.

Mrs Helen Obeten, according to the letter, was said to have collected monies from some persons with the intention of facilitating and securing employment in the institution.

The letter said the action contravened section 5.7.3(iv) of the University of Calabar Conditions of Service 2014, which borders on corruption, dishonesty and sabotage against the University.

After due consideration of the report, Council approved the recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee and retired her from service in line with section 5.9.3(ii) of the University of Calabar Conditions of Service, 2014.

In the same vein, Mrs. Felix Aya was alleged to have collected salaries from both the University and Cross River State Government simultaneously within the period under investigation, which contravened laws of the institution and violates the Civil Service Rule.

Council also directed her to refund the money received as salary from the University of Calabar during the period she served as Commissioner II in the Local Government Service Commission, Cross River State.

The retirements take effect from December 13, 2019.

See also ALSO: UNICAL Sacks 5 Staff,Demotes 3 Over Gross Misconduct

UNICAL: Registrar Assures Nurses Of Improvement In Their Working Conditions

Amb. Egbe, UNICAL Registrar

 By Albert Udeme.            

The University of Calabar Registrar,  Amb. Gabriel Egbe has assured Nurses and other health workers in the University of improvement in their working conditions. The Registrar made this pronouncement while receiving members of the Nigerian Nursing Council,  Unical chapter, in his office .

The Registrar who described Nurses as significant agents in health care  delivery system said  the decision of Prof Zana Akpagu to commence the building of an ultra modern Medical Centre in the University of Calabar was borne out of the need to address some of those challenges confronting health care delivery in the University.

He assured the Nurses that he will liaise with the Director of Health Services to present  their demands to Management. Earlier in their address, the branch chairperson of the Association, Mrs Esu, said they were in the office to congratulate Amb Egbe on his divine and merited appointment as the Seventh Registrar of the University of Calabar She used the opportunity to enumerates some of the challenges facing the Medical Center to  include Poor Power Supply,  lack of basic facility in the maternity ward etc.

 The chairperson also complained of discriminatory payment of hazard allowances as well as stagnation of Nurses on CONTISS 13. Highlight of the visit was presentation of the Association Almanac to the Registrar and group photographs.

The University of Calabar has suspended a 200- level Student, Uzoagba Chinaemerem Goodluck of the Department of Physics over unlawful alleged possession and smoking of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp.

The suspension was conveyed in a letter signed by the Vice Chancellor and dated January 17.

According to the letter, Uzoagba's suspension from studies is sequel to a report received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu on his alleged possession and smoking of Indian Hemp on Campus resident at Hall 4 on November 27, 2019.

The letter reads thus " You are aware that Indian hemp is a prohibited substance on campus.

" The Vice Chancellor has therefore approved your suspension from studies. You are hereby suspended from your academic programme in the University of Calabar with effect from the First Semester of the 2019/2020 academic session.

" You are to remain on suspension until the student's Disciplinary Committee concludes investigation in the matter."

The letter, however, charged the Head, Department of Physics, and the Chief Security Officer are to ensure full compliance.

By Economic Confidential
   

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has halted the ongoing admission of students at the University of Abuja due to what it described as an unholy process and unacceptable irregularities.

In its latest investigation on the admission process of the University, Economic Confidential found out that the new management under Vice Chancellor Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah is fingered in this new development.

Checks indicate that on resumption of office few months ago, the new Vice Chancellor jettisoned the usual admission Committee of the University and allegedly contracted the admission process which is alien to the University culture.

The Vice Chancellor recently addressed a press conference to the effect that the process was suspended by the University management for irregularities whereas it was an instruction from JAMB to halt the process for not meeting the provisions of the guidelines.

The development caught the attention of JAMB, who in turn informed the University promptly to halt the 2019/2020 admission process which did not meet up with JAMB guidelines for uploading all admissions on the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS).

Further investigations reveal that University regulations on admission provide that admissions of students be handled by the Committee on admission headed by a chairman.

An Academic staff who would not want his name in print volunteered to this reporter that the Committee has been moribund since last year.

“The committee is made less functional, the normal practice of admitting students at Departments has been abolished. The 2019/2020 admission process has been contracted to a private company contrary to university practice”, he lamented.

Further checks also reveal that admission acceptance fee of a newly admitted student which was N4, 500 before is now N30, 000. University of Abuja which never charged any fee for the collection of original certificates after graduation now charge N30, 000 higher than any fee collected by a state university in the country.

Findings also revealed that graduates currently line up in large numbers at the Convocation Square for the collection of original degree certificates, fearing that the University has vowed to increase the amount at the expiration of one-week period.

The Certificate Collection Form issued by the Office of the Registrar simply state that the graduates attach” receipt of payment’’ with no amount stated. Those interviewed at the Convocation called for a drastic reduction of the amount to N5, 000 in the interest of parents and the hapless Nigerians graduates.

The university management under the new leadership also allegedly reversed the existing Senate decision on examination results. The rule was that results from Departments are brought to the Senate through the Senate Business Committee within six weeks after the semester examinations. The current rule which has not been ratified by the Senate, orders lecturers to turn in results 10 days at the end of the semester examinations.

Senate members who spoke to our Reporter described the order as impracticable saying it will lead to allocation of marks to students in an effort to beat the deadline. Each lecturer in the Humanities currently handle between 400 to 700 scripts depending on the course while in the Management Sciences a lecturer marks between 1000 to 2000 scripts depending on the course also taken as elective from other Departments in the University. At the last Senate meeting, the only agenda was the approval of academic calendar but the issue of 10 days period to mark scripts was smuggled in. The process was objected to by the majority of Senate members.

The Academic Staff Union took a resolution and said that none

JUST IN: JAMB suspends use of NIN for 2020 exams 

By Eje Peter ,

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has suspended the use of the National Identification Number for registration for the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination UTME.

The registrar of JAMB, Ishaq Oloyede, who stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, said the move was to provide more time for candidates to get their national identification numbers.

He said the suspension was also to address the technical challenges experienced at some centres.

He asked candidates to disregard the use of NIN for the 2020 registration and strictly comply with other procedures for the registration. He however said that JAMB will consider the use of NIMC for 2021 exams.

The board last year said from 2020, candidates will register for its examinations with their national ID number to solve the challenges of multiple registration.

TEV_media

The University of Calabar is to  open a Chinese Language Centre in January 2020 to teach mandarin.

This was disclosed by the Vice Chancellor,Prof Zana Itiunbe Akpagu after his visit to the Embassy of the Peoples’ Republic of China in Nigeria on the 27th of November 2019. The Center which will be domiciled in the Bassey Andah Institute of African and Asian Studies is to commence the teaching of Chinese already approved by the University’s Senate. The Chinese government is to send teachers,assist in curriculum development,provide teaching aids and equipment,etc. The University is expected to provide offices ,accommodation in the university quarters for the teachers,etc.

 A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is expected to be signed on Monday the 30th of December 2019. The MOU signed on behalf of the Confucius Institute will allow Unical join 3 other elite Nigerian universities(including Unilag ) in the teaching of mandarin.

 The socio-economic benefits and the employment prospects offered by this window of opportunity are monumental. This will also push forward the Sino-Nigerian cooperation. The VC was accompanied on the visit by the Director of BAIFAAS Prof Michael Bonchuk.