18 August 2020
A leading candidate gunning for the office of Vice-Chancellor of the prestigious University of Calabar, a second generation Nigerian tertiary institution has disclosed his priority should he eventually emerge as the 11th substantive Vice Chancellor.
While discussing with Dr. Mesembe Ita Edet, an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy of the said University, Professor Offiong Efanga Offiong of the Department of Chemistry disclosed that he will prioritise staff, students and institutional welfare during his tenure if he emerges as Vice Chancellor.
Dr Edet disclosed this recently on his social media handle while talking about Offiong's candidature to his fans in a thread titled: 'My Conversations with Prof. Offiong E Offiong and why I am Involved'.
According to Dr Edet, Prof Offiong told him that 'I shall consolidate on the successes and achievements of my preceding -Vice Chancellors, especially the achievements of my brother Professor Zana Akpagu and build on his Malabitic commitment to project development which he executed.
'But I shall also take WELFARE OF STAFF AND STUDENTS AND STABILITY OF THE SYSTEM very seriously. That is to say I will listen to the UNIONS: ASUU, SSANUU, NAAT and the SUG.I feel their present pains. I am coming to give them relief'.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday 12th August 2020, a special session of the University of Calabar Senate was convened to amongst other matters, elect from among themselves, two Senate representatives at the screening/ interview Panel for the appointment of the 11th Vice Chancellor of the University to be conducted by the University Governing Council on September 10, 2020. The duo of Prof Friday Odey, an erstwhile Deputy Dean of Faculty of Medicine and a one-time Deputy Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Prof Edisua Itam Hogan got the nod of Senate to represent the body at the oncoming Council/Senate Selection Interview panel for the appointment of the next Vice Chancellor.
They both polled 126 and 121 votes respectively ahead of 5 other contestants in a voting exercise conducted today at the International Conference Centre of the institution.
They both polled 126 and 121 votes respectively ahead of 5 other contestants in a voting exercise conducted today at the International Conference Centre of the institution.
