UNICAL VC: WE ARE POISED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS’ WELFARE

The newly admitted students of University of Calabar, (UNICAL) have officially taken their oath in an event marking the 38th matriculation oath taking ceremony. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu, during the occasion, pledged to support students’ welfare.  Stanley Uchegbu (ICAN Student, Calabar) and Gift Adah (Faculty of Law) report.

On Tuesday March 22nd 2016, 8,259 students took their matriculation oaths into the University of Calabar,(UNICAL).  Out of 21,247 candidates who applied to study in the prestigious university through the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) only 8,259 met up with the admission requirements.

It was a historic one in the series as it was the first matriculation ceremony hosted by the new Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Zana Akpagu.
It was a delightful moment not only for the matriculating students but for their parents and guardians, who came around to witness the grand occasion, which marked the beginning of university education for their lucky students.

The venue of the occasion, Abraham Odia stadium was lavishly decorated and festooned with flowers, signifying the importance of the event which comes up once a year. The obstacle which the students normally go through to advance to that level adds value to the occasion, especially when one realises that there were several students who had studied very hard and sat for the UTME exam more than four times and are yet to gain admission into the university.
Before the matriculation exercise, students engaged in wild celebration by splashing themselves with all kinds of sticky liquid, dirty water, mud, including sachet water and blue solution.

The enraged students who spoke with CAMPUSLIGHT expressed displeasure over the conduct of their senior colleague before the matriculation oath taking ceremony.

A 100 level student of Human Anatomy, Paul Achunwa, who was splashed with mud said: “I would find the celebration to be good only if we do it in a proper way. I am averse to people pouring me dirty water. It is never welcomed.

It has now turned bizarre because bullying and mobbing is now associated with celebration of matriculation of freshmen in which other students chase them with dirty water used for cooking and washing.

CAMPUSLIGHT observed the excitement at off campus hostels where Ben Udofia, a 300 level student of Agricultural Science and comedian mobbed his occupant with a bucket of muddy water. He was drenched from head to toe.

Another student splashed him with water mixed with powdered pepper.

According to Edith Effiok, a 100 level student of Biochemistry, I was still on bed when some group of youth invaded my hostel. They were carrying buckets of muddy water, blue solution and other sticky liquid they collected from the gutter. They ordered me to come out and I obeyed; they asked me to kneel down, I obeyed; they splashed the whole content on me, I nearly collapsed because the mud and other particles from the liquid blocked my nostrils. It was so disgusting.
Abasieffiok Jude, a graduating student of Economics said: ‘’Water baptism’ is a form of celebration which signifies the washing down of unforeseen academic stress, hurdles and frustration. I don’t see it as a bad culture but as part of the excitement that characterise admission into the university.

Vera Akpama, a final year student of Philosophy, who opposed the wild celebration said: “It is always fun and an official way used by the senior students in welcoming their junior colleague into the campus. But, I am completely against the mobbing and pouring of dirty water on new students. It is unhygienic and should not be encouraged.

The matriculation proper started at exactly 10am with procession of matriculating students and the university senate into the venue, Abraham Odia Stadium. 
Also in the procession were Deputy Vice Chancellor on Academic, Prof. Mrs. Florence Obi, University Registrar, Mr. Moses Abang, Dean of Graduate School Prof. Emeka Okwueze and his counterpart Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Felix Akpan among other dignitaries.

Presenting his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Akpagu disclosed that the approved admission quota by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is 6,787, “but over 17,898 students applied to the university through the UTME while 3,347 applied through Direct Entry”.

Taking a phrase from the Holy Bible, the first Alumni VC said “many are called but few are chosen”. He described the new students as the few who have been luckily chosen from the huge number of applicants to the university.

As a one time student of the university, Prof. Akpagu expressed that his policies are pro-student and he is poised to support the welfare of the students in his administration. “The students are my priority. The students form the core of the university community.

Still speaking, the VC noted that his administration is waging a relentless war against extortion by lecturers, sorting by students, indiscipline, violation of rules and procedures, rape, sexual harassment and other unethical practices in the university.

He advised the students to constantly stick to their main goal of coming to the university which is reading and learning to earn a good degree. “The goal cannot be achieved if you avail yourself to frivolous activities. Be focused and obey the university’s rules and regulations”, Prof. Akpaagu stated.

One of the students who could not conceal his joy said: “Am grateful to God for scaling through the admission hurdles, I know it is not an easy task to pass UTME and POST UTME. It is not by my might but His grace”, he said, adding that he is determined to make a first class degree after school.