Unical has produced 168,786 graduates in 50 years – VC

Prof. Florence Obi, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UniCal), on Monday, said that the institution had produced a total of 168,786 graduates over the last 50 years.

Obi stated that the figure included the 13,786 graduands to be awarded their degree certificates during the 37th Convocation Ceremony of the institution scheduled for March 21 and March 22.

The Vice Chancellor stated this in Calabar at a news conference to herald the 50th anniversary and 37th convocation ceremony of the university.

Giving a breakdown of the graduands for the convocation, Obi said 66 bagged first class, while 3,143, 7,527, 925 and seven graduated with Second Class Upper, Second Class Lower, Third Class and Pass respectively.

She further said that the graduands comprise 11,728 first degree recipient, 876 for Masters degree, 572 Doctorate Degrees, 249 Post Graduate Diploma and seven post Doctoral Diploma in education.

According to the VC, the record of 66 First Class graduands is the highest ever produced in the history of the university since its establishment 50 years ago.

Obi said that during the 37th convocation programme, six Nigerians would be conferred honorary Doctorate degrees.

She said the awardees include Mrs Uloma Akpabio, wife of the President of Senate, Mr Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Gov Bassey Otu of Cross River.

Others are retired Maj.-Gen. Moses Bisong Obi, a former General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Nigerian Army; Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim of the Supreme Court and Mr Arthur Eze.

She added that the events to culminate with a thanksgiving service on March 23, would have in attendance dignitaries such as Sen. Godswill Akpabio.

Others are Sen. John Uwan-Enoh, Mr A.B.C Ojiako and the deputy governors of Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Delta among others.

It was reported that after the media briefing, the management of the institution led a victory walk from the main gate to the school library to mark the 50th anniversary.