Florence Obi breaks jinx, becomes first UNICAL female Vice Chancellor

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has produced its first female Vice-Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi of the Faculty of Education.

Obi is to succeed Professor Zana Akpagu, whose tenure would elapse on November 30.

The choice of Obi was announced, yesterday, by the 12th Governing Council of the university as the 11th Vice Chancellor-elect at the UNICAL Hotel in Calabar after emerging winner out of 13 contestants.

Obi, who spoke to newsmen shortly after receiving her letter of employment, said the contest was free and fair and promised to run an inclusive administration.     

The new VC, who served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), said: “I am happy that I have just been given my employment letter from the 12the Council as the Vice Chancellor-elect and the 11th substantive Vice-Chancellor effective from December 1, this year.”

Speaking after the selection process, Chairman of the Council and Pro-Chancellor, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, affirmed that the exercise was transparent, free, and fair, adding that Obi’s emergence was a victory for the women.

“We assured the university community we were going to be transparent, open, fair, and just. There is a guideline from the Federal Ministry of Education on how to conduct an interview for the appointment and there are so many parameters we had to look into and that is exactly what we did.”

She urged Obi to build on the foundation laid by the outgoing vice-chancellor, noting that governance should be a continuous process.

The institution was established forty-five years ago.

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Hon. CARL UMEGBORO is a legal practitioner (Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and human rights activist. As an advocate of conflict resolution through ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), he has acquired intensive training and has been inducted into The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom) as an Associate. He is a prolific writer and public affairs analyst. Prior to his call to Bar as a lawyer, he has been a veteran journalist and columnist in all national newspapers, and has over 250 published articles in various newspapers to his credit. Barrister Umegboro is also a regular guest-analyst to many TV and radio programme on crucial national issues. He can be reached through: (+234) 08023184542, (+234) 08173184542 OR Email: umegborocarl@gmail.com

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