4 December 2019
Cross River State unarguably remains Nigeria's number one tourism destination and the hottest place to be during festive periods especially Christmas.
The state, located in the South-South region of the country is truly the people's paradise city that's blessed with lots of beautiful tourist sites – such as the Ikom monolith, Obudu Cattle Ranch, Marina Resort, Tinapa Business Resort, Agbokim Waterfall among others.
Always, during the Yuletide period, tourists from within and outside the country troop in in droves to visit and also catch the glimpse of the many alluring tourist sites.
The Carnival Calabar which is the climax of a 31 days steady fun-filled Christmas celebration in Calabar attracts hundred of thousands of people from all over the world who takeout time to visit some of the beautiful sites.
Although, there are lots of other new kids in the block like the International Conference Centre, a signature project of the Liyel Imoke administration, Prof. Zana Akpagu, the Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar in the past four years has turned the University into a tourist hub. Simple put, he has turned Unical into a paradise inside the People's Paradise City.
To say Prof. Akpagu has brought a facelift to the university's environment appears an understatement. Maybe, it's best described as a Dubai in Nigeria.
The all seasons VC has given the University a new serene ambience from the gate through the Ayodele boulevard to the main campus. Ornaments which were as old or even older than even the University have all been replaced with more modern and fascinating ones.
From the entrance through the boulevard to the main campus, the administrative block and the popular Malabor, the University is wearing a different look with different alluring decorations. It's not surprising that thousands of locals always troop in to take photographs with the beautiful decorations at the main gate of the University.
One captivating site which is a delight to watch is the popular and symbolic lantern at Unical roundabout which has become an attraction for fun seekers.
Nevertheless, outside the beautiful decorations and the Christmas-like atmosphere that's reigning now in Unical, Prof. Akpagu's bold and emphatic transformation of Unical from a 2nd to 21 century institution is itself a point of attraction.
At best, the beautiful decorations are literally reflecting what Akpagu has turned Unical into in and out. Once derided for not moving at the same pace with other 2nd generation Universities in the country, Unical is now a topnotch institution that's attracting so much attention locally and internationally.
The Christmas decorations may well just be him highlighting the rich social side of the University under his results oriented. If you're in Calabar or planning to come, Unical is sure the place you can't afford to miss.
