NIGERIAN TAKES OVER I.T.M UGEP

Prof. Angba (Right) in a handshake with Dr. Pedley (Left) 

A Nigerian, Prof. Austin Angba has taken over the leadership of Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), Ugep. Prof. Angba was appointed as Acting Rector of ITM by the Cross River State Governor, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade recently.

ITM was established about 2 years ago in affiliation with Highburry Collage, United Kingdom. Since its inception, ITM was under the management of the UK government.

During the handover recently, the former Rector, Dr. William Pedley congratulated Prof. Angba for his appointment and applauded the state government for its new wave of concern for the development of the school. He promised his unalloyed commitment to the school management and the state government. He said “whenever you need my assistance, I will be there. The facilities are in order and of super standard. You can take a tour round the school and witness that yourself”.

Before his appointment, Prof. Angba was a lecturer in the Faculty of Agriculture, where he once served as a Head of Department. He was also appointed by the Vice Chancellor to serve as the Deputy Director STEP-B Project University of Calabar where he delivered meritoriously.

Dr. Pedley chatting with Prof. Angba

Prof. Angba’s appointment is expected to take effect immediately, following the mandate from the state Governor, Sen. Prof. Ayade.

Apart from being the first Cross River citizen to occupy the office, Professor Angba is the first Nigerian and the first black man to head IMT, Ugep since its inception. He took over from an European group who managed the school for some time.

During his visit to the school, Prof. Angba had an interactive session with the members of the school. The students and the staff were happily converged at the conference room when he arrived the school. Prof. Angba took out some time to give words of encouragement to the staff and students who were filled with happiness that the institution which had been on break for some time has resumed fully.

The Rector led the entire school in a prayer session which lasted for about 19 minutes. He urged teh students and the staff to take up their individual responsibilities very seriously because the school has taken off on a full swing and there is no room for liturgy.

Prof. Angba leading a prayer session

Prof. Angba noted that the problem with Nigerian education system is indiscipline, laziness and carelessness. “We have commenced in earnest and there is no going back. The students must be ready to learn and the teachers must be ready to teach. No room for laziness.

“The positive reports about this are everywhere and I am here to sustain it and make it better. This is world class institution built to the United Kingdom standard, facilities and philosophy so we will produce world class students of international repute”.

Prof. Angba led the members of the management to a tour round the ultramodern school facilities, staff quarters, refectory, lecture rooms, etc.

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VC constructs new desks for students

Cross Section of desks

Not less 1600 seats have been made available by the University of Calabar (UNICAL) management for the students. This was revealed to Campus Light by Dr. James Okpiliya who is the Director Centre for Educational Services (CES), during an interactive session.

Dr. Okpiliya said the seat project was occasioned by the need to provide more comfortable classroom environment for the students during their lectures and classes.
The 400 units of classroom desk which takes up to 4 students per desk will be installed in the CES building to replace the old desks that have been grievously damaged because of long usage.

It can be recalled that when he took over as the Vice Chancellor of Unical, Prof. Zana Akpagu declared that his policies and plans are channeled to alleviating the sufferings of students and providing basic welfare which the students need to succour academic pressure on campus.

In a chat with Campus Light, Dr. Okpiliya said this driving passion of the Vice Chancellor as an alumnus of Unical is yielding positive results. “All these seats will be installed in the students’ classrooms. We want to give our students the best. We had to invite the constructing firm to fabricate the seats here in the school community where we would do step-by-step supervision of the whole process to be sure of the materials they are using. The students themselves are part of the project so they will not allow you use fake materials for their own thing. The VC has a plan and he will actualize it”, he concluded.

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Abia Killers Banded

The Abia State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) working closely with the authorities of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), and the security outfits in Abia State University Uturu (ABSU), have arrested four young suspects believed to be involved in the murder of three ABSU students at Isuikwuato Local Government in which two of the victims were beheaded amd their heads dropped along the ABSU Main gate in the wake of the day.

The suspects were arrested around MOUAU and Umuahia respectively. They include Chikezie Macdonald (a.k.a Walking Dutch) aged 22; Chidozie Obi (a.k.a Small body) aged 21; Chukwuemeka Awom (a.k.a Arch Angel) aged 25 and Chigozie Francis Eberendu (a.k.a Starboy) aged 23.

The suspects, who were paraded at the Abia State Government House during the week, are members of a cult group known as Burkina Faso which had severally troubled the students community. Students reporters revealed that the BF cult group is one of the most terrific cult outfits in ABSU as their fratanous efforts could eliminate any joint effort by any opposition cult group. Theres is the purported report that the said suspects conspired with others at large to carry out the devilish acts at the residence of the three victims at Chido Lodge, Uturu, on March 12, 2016. They maimed the students and left them in the pool of their blood.

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VC constructs new desks for students

Not less 1600 seats have been made available by the University of Calabar (UNICAL) management for the students. This was revealed to Campus Light by Dr. James Okpiliya who is the Director Centre for Educational Services (CES), during an interactive session.

Dr. Okpiliya said the seat project was occasioned by the need to provide more comfortable classroom environment for the students during their lectures and classes.
The 400 units of classroom desk which takes up to 4 students per desk will be installed in the CES building to replace the old desks that have been grievously damaged because of long usage.

It can be recalled that when he took over as the Vice Chancellor of Unical, Prof. Zana Akpagu declared that his policies and plans are channeled to alleviating the sufferings of students and providing basic welfare which the students need to succour academic pressure on campus.

In a chat with Campus Light, Dr. Okpiliya said this driving passion of the Vice Chancellor as an alumnus of Unical is yielding positive results. “All these seats will be installed in the students’ classrooms. We want to give our students the best. We had to invite the constructing firm to fabricate the seats here in the school community where we would do step-by-step supervision of the whole process to be sure of the materials they are using. The students themselves are part of the project so they will not allow you use fake materials for their own thing. The VC has a plan and he will actualize it”, he concluded.

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IMT gets new Rector

The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade has appointed Prof. Austin Angba as the Acting Rector for Institute of Management Technology, Ugep in Cross River State.

Before his appointment, Prof. Angba was a lecturer in the Faculty of Agriculture, where he once served as a Head of Department. He was also appointed by the Vice Chancellor to serve as the Deputy Director STEP-B Project University of Calabar where he delivered meritoriously.

Prof. Angba’s appointment is expected to take effect immediately, following the mandate from the state Governor, Sen. Prof. Ayade.

Apart from being the first Cross River citizen to occupy the office, Professor Angba is the first Nigerian and the first black man to head IMT, Ugep since its inception. He took over from an European group who managed the school for some time.

In a briefing, Prof. Angba expressed sincere appreciation to the state Governor for giving him an opportunity to serve at such a capacity. He promised to contribute his quota to the development of the state’s education system by coming up with trending policies that will revamp the school and make the state outstanding.

Following his credible academic and professional achievements, members of the academic community are convinced that Prof. Angba will deliver satisfactorily in his new task. The Public Relations Officer of University of Calabar Alumni Association, Mr. Emmanuel Adariku said the personality of Prof. Angba is fit for the position. “He is a committed and devoted academician. He is surely the right man for the job”.

Prof. Angba noted that the school is a veritable platform for investors to come in and play a major role by investing to its development. “I urge our home-based philanthropists, businessmen and politicians to come in and invest in the school. This is the best time for us to show our love for the state by impacting in the education sector. We implore private individuals and corporate organizations to invest. IMT is a veritable platform for organizations to work on”.

The university don equally promised to make Prof. Ayade’s regime a legendary one while commending the Governor’s efforts and policies so far.

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Text Book is not compulsory-Dr. Okpiliya

Dr. James Okpiliya is a member of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Governing Council, a member of the UNICAL Senate and a Lecturer in the Department of English and Literary Studies. Shortly after the expiration of his tenure as the Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Okpiliya was appointed as the Director Centre for Educational Services (CES). In this interview with Gift Adah of Campus Light, the don spoke about the much debated issue of sale of textbooks in universities arguing that it should not be compulsory.


CL: What has been your experience since you achieved this height as the Director of CES?
Dr. Opkiliya: I was Chairman of ASUU before I came over here. I have been used to dealing with people that are more mature than I and with different psychology from the students. I think this new job is just a carryover experience. I deal more with students here and little with staff. I work with students and their leaders to ensure that they are comfortable, to ensure that the mission and vision of the University about them are fully actualized. I have learnt a lot since I came here because life is all about lessons. I have learnt that one needs patience to deal with students. The students call me frequently. When they flash me, I would call back even without knowing who is flashing. When they send me call me messages, I would call, whether I know them or not. It is a lovely experience and of course a new lesson for me.

CL: Can you see any difference between CES students and regular students?
Dr. Opkiliya: Significantly, there is no difference between the CES and the regular students. The only difference is that while the regular students go for youth service, the CES students don’t. Another addendum there is that the CES students pay tuition while the regular students don’t. There is no other difference. The course contents are the same; they use same textbooks and are taught by same lecturers. They use same classrooms and libraries.

CL: Why are CES students not given the opportunity to participate in youth service regardless of the huge sum of money they pay and the time they spend in school?
Dr. Opkiliya: Fine. This argument has been on for a long time. We have pushed it forward to the NYSC and the National Assembly. You know that NYSC is a creation of law. There is a law establishing it. There are certain things that are contained in that law. So, unless those contents are repealed and new inclusions made, there is nothing we can do about it. The law doesn’t cater for the part time programs that are run within the country. Before now, no one ever imagined that younger people will go into part time program. But because of the quest for certificate and the slim quota universities have, students now resort to part time programs.

CL: What is your office doing about it?
Dr. Opkiliya: Well, before I became the director, I was the Deputy Director under Prof. Eze Bassey who was then the chairman of association of Directors of consultancy programs in Nigeria. Since then, we have been pushing this issue of youth service. I am worried because as the Director I want my students to be comfortable in the program they have enrolled for; I want to encourage more people to run the program, thus, raising the IGR level of the university. I want to prove my mettle. If we eventually achieve youth service mobilisation for CES students, we will end up having more influx of students in this program.  We want the students to join us in this fight. We are pushing for exclusion certificate but it is not a part of the law. We are trying. It pains me sincerely that these young ones are not allowed to serve their father’s land.

CL: Here, in the campus, the answer scripts of CES students have ‘CES’ inscription boldly written on them which is not applicable to regular students. Why is it so?
Dr. Opkiliya: There are two different sets of students. There is nothing strange there. It is for administrative purposes. It doesn’t affect the marking and grading systems.

CL: If you go to IPPA, IOC and IOE which have higher concentration of CES students, you will find out that there are a lot of practices there which call for questions such are sale of textbooks. What is your opinion about textbook marketing in universities?
Dr. Opkiliya: Good. If you are a farmer you cannot go to farm without your tools. If you are a human being you must eat. If you are student, you must read books. Those books must be relevant to the program and the course you are doing. There is nothing wrong about sale of textbooks in the universities but it is wrong to force them on students. Textbooks are not compulsory. If books are recommended by the department, there should be a benchmark to the cost at which those books are sold. I have told students in all those places that if there are practices which they are not comfortable with, it is their duty to report them to me. They can put the complains on a piece of paper, list the names of those involved and pass under my door. Don’t write you names on it. Make it anonymous and I will surely investigate act on it.

CL: Do you have any advice for the students?
Dr. Opkiliya: The students should read their books and make their parents proud. This is not a time for them to freelance and move about. They should shun unethical practises and be focused.

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UNICAL Registrar Lauds Campus Light crew

By Chinwe Ohaeri, Gift Adah

Members of Campus Light crew, the publishers of Campus Light magazine and owners of campuslightpress.blogspot.com have received commendation for their efforts in projecting the image of University of Calabar in good light through their publication.

The Registrar of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Mr. Moses Abang gave the commendation when members of the Campus Light crew paid him a courtesy visit in his office recently.

According to Abang, he feels a sense of pride reading stories from students, stressing that the management holds campus journalists in high esteem since their stories is a reflection of what students are going through.

He however, cautioned campus journalists to practice within the framework of principles guiding the journalism profession which he noted were truth, objectivity, balance and fairness.

He said: “As campus journalists, you should be advocates of fairness, justice and integrity.  These tools, will give you an edge over your peers in the political, economic, and social set up"

On his part, the Chairman editorial board of the magazine Emmanuel Shebbs congratulated Mr Abang on his appointment and intimated him on campus journalists' activities in the school and as well seek moral support and counsel from the registrar.

Shebbs revealed that the magazine which started as a tabloid have advanced to magazine, stressing that Campus Light magazine remains the voice of the students and conscience of the public, who must understand issues and engineer social change.

He thanked the management of the institution for the opportunity given them and promised that Campus Light magazine will be used to showcase the research breakthroughs and other achievements of the institution to the outside world.

Shebbs pledged the crew's commitment to the present administration's programmes through their reporting and publications.

Also speaking, Stanley Uchegbu, the Associate Editor of the magazine said they were impressed with the level of development witnessed during the last and the incumbent administration. This, he said has continued to spur them in carrying out their duties as campus journalists.

"As Campus Light reporters, we also report for different national newspapers, including The Nation, Daily Sun and Vanguard newspaper among others," Stanley added.

Others who formed part of the crew who visited the registrar were Chinwe Ohaeri, 400 level Human Anatomy, Gift Adah, 100 level Faculty of Law and Raymond, 500 level Electronic and Computer Technology ( ECT).

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UNICAL Inaugurates New Students' Union Excos

By Chinwe Ohaeri, Ubong Edet, Gift Adah and Raymond
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The members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), who were recently elected through e-voting system have been sworn in.

The SUG officials led by Daniel Joseph, a 500 level student of Medicine and Surgery were sworn in last week in a ceremony held at the varsity’s new Senate Chambers.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Zana Akpagu, who came in the company of other principal officers of the university, assured the union leaders of his administration support stressing that student's welfare still remained his cardinal objectives.

Prof. Zana charged the union leaders not to see him as the VC rather as one of them who was once a resident of malabor republik adding that the spirit of a malabite still dwells in him.

The VC promised to create an enabling environment that would improve the academic standards of students.

He reminded them that the essence of their election was to render reputable services as well provision of good governance to the students, even as he implore them to always use dialogue to resolve issues among themselves and always maintain a cordial and long lasting relationship with the management.

Prof Zana while commending the Calabar University Electoral Commission (CUECO) for a perfect job well done, expressed his administration’s commitment to partner with the students’ union and assist them to enhance smooth operation activities.

Presenting the new executive for oath taking, the CUECO Chairman and Director of Academic Planning, Dr. Patrick Egaga stated that the task saddled on them was onerous but thanked God that it was successfully executed.

On his part, the Director of Center for Educational Services, Dr. James Okpiliyi noted that the electioneering process was not an easy one but was peaceful conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Student's union constitution.

The oath of office was first administered to the president followed by his executive by Barr. Mannix Nyiam , a legal adviser

Speaking on behalf of the new executive, Joseph said integrity would be the watchword of his administration and that he and his fellow leaders will ensure a sound bridge between the students and the school authority.

He solicited for the support of the school authority stressing that gone were the days when aluta spirit was known for violence.

While praising the courage of students for electing him as their leader, he commended his predecessor for keeping the tradition of the union noting that
the outgoing executive led by Ekpo Tete raised the bar of performance.

Other members of the SUG leaders sworn in are Nkpoikana Abasi - Vice President, Isong Eugene - Secretary General, Precious Ikunisi - Deputy Secretary General, Peace Ezenwa - Financial Secretary, Emmanuel Akpan - Director of Welfare, Sunday David - Director of Sports, Victor Iheanacho - Director of Social and Michael Ikyar - Director of Information.

In their separate interviews with CAMPUS LIGHT, Essien Ukeme , a 300-Level Political Science, said from what he heard about the union president, he believes the SUG would work more for the student with the new VC whose objective of his administration is student's welfarism.

“Our expectations from the new administration are high and I believe he would perform better than his predecessors,” Ukeme said.

Jennifer Abang, a 100 Level student, said the challenges before the union are enormous, noting that only a visionary leader could surmount those problems.

Other dignitaries at the event include, the Registrar Mr. Abang Moses, Deputy Vice Chancellor on Administration, Prof. Ndifreke James,  Dean of student's affairs, Prof. Felix Akpan, Director CES, Dr. James Okpiliyi, Librarian Dr. Mrs. Ruth Bassey, Bursar, Mr. Peter Agi among others.

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Be the reporter! Send us stories of event making the rounds in your school and we will publish them. Send it via e-mail Aimdking88@yahoo.com.

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UNICAL Bursar Welcomes Campus Light Crew

"Campus Light is a worthy vision" said Mr. Peter Abang, the Registrar University of Calabar .

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Refuse Overtakes Students Market

The most popular market for University of Calabar (Unical) students and the gateway for about 45% of students into the University community has been overtaken by debris and presently passerby are forced to climb a stinking mountainous heap before they could gain entrance into the university through the Goldie gate. A huge part of the market has been converted to refuse dump reports Idiongesit Imuk

Goldie Market is a popular students’ market in Calabar. With more than 150 shops, kiosk, shades, stalls, etc the market is the commercial nerve centre of Goldie Street as students go there to buy domestic articles on daily basis. The market features a bee hive of business activities from 6:00 am to 10pm every day. Goldie Market has recently lost its glory as pile of refuse dumped close to the market has overtaken its face.

Students rubbing on refuse hip while passing into the school

Goldie Market serves as a major thoroughfare for Unical students residing off campus. They make use of the market’s isle while passing into Unical small gate popularly known as ‘Goldie Small Gate’. Many students prefer passing through the Goldie Small Gate as it is a treckable distance to Unical especially for students who reside in Calabar South area.

One major advantage of the market is its proximity to the school. The market shares boundary with Unical students’ hostel, known as Malabo. More than 90% of Unical students live off campus.

Recently, students have raised complains regarding the indiscriminate dumping of refuse at the market which has caused a huge stack of refuse dump, blocking the narrow isle through which students pass. The huge refuse emit an odious stench which booms around the area even into the school community.

At the entrance of the gate is a security booth which is usually occupied by Unical security personnel. A security officer who spoke with Campuslife said the odious smell oozing from the refuse dump is nauseating and very disgusting for a clean city like Calabar.

A 300 level student in Faculty of Education, Effiong Samuel lamented in nostalgia the recent degradation of the market and its environs. He said: “Gone are days when Calabar was clean. That was in the days of Gov. Donald Duke. Successive governments have not tried at maintaining the cleanliness of the city. When you go to the media they show you clean Calabar Street; that is the Government House and the tourist sites. They do not show you the real residential area where the real Calabar people dwell liek this Goldie Street.”

Campus life gathered that there is a refuse bin usually kept at the market. “Whenever the bin gets full, the officials will come and lift them”, said one of the market women who gave her name as Eka Harry. But recently, the market people have not seen the officials come to empty the refuse bin which has filled up beyond its capacity.

It is usually the duty of Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) to keep Calabar clean. CUDA officials drop waste bins at strategic points in Calabar for people to drop their home-used refuse therein. When each refuse bin gets filled-up, the CUDA officials would come with a towing van and pack them away, empty the waste bin and return it back to the location. In the absence of waste bin in particular location, people would litter the area with refuse on the floor. The CUDA officials would shove the refuse back into waste bin when they come around.

Some time ago, the refuse bin at Goldie Market got filled and the CUDA officials jacked it away without returning it. The refuse has been abandoned unkempt from more than 2 months. A market seller who spoke with Campuslife said “the last time they came to pack the refuse bin was second week of February. Since then we haven’t seen them again”.

But, there is another issue which bothers the market people in addition to the refuse stench. The market sellers complained that they were robbed by some persons who claimed to be officials in a bid to help them clear the refuse. One of the market women, Madam Charity said: “a group of boys came here last month and robbed us. They claimed to be CUDA officials. They told us that the waste bin they use for carrying refuse from our market has gone bad, so we should contribute money for the purchase of a new one. Everyone in the market contributed N500 each and gave to those boys.

“After collecting the money, they disappeared and we didn’t see them again and the refuse has not been packed. When we went to CUDA office, they told us that there was nothing like that. They said those boys were touts and they robbed us. They took advantage of the situation to rob us”.

“Goldie Market is an ancient market” said an elderly woman who claimed she was born Calabar. “The market has been here before I was born. We used to burn refuse each time it gets filled up. When Donald Duke came in as the governor, he started clearing up refuse by putting refuse bin there. That has been the practice since 1999. But recently we discovered that the CUDA officials are no more serious about the sanity of the market”.

A 300 level student of Medicine who simply gave his name as Jerry said the state government should choose another dumping site for refuse rather than causing a huge stench around the market area. Adebayo, 300 level Political Science said the market is very uncomfortable for sale of consumables.

Close to the refuse is a woman who sells fresh fruits, tomato and pepper. She said she can’t close her market because of refuse. “It is not our duty to pack this refuse. It is the government’s duty. I have my children at home to feed. I will not close shop”. 

Sellers use rusted roofing sheets to create a demarcation between their shops and the refuse which lies at the middle of the road while they chase flies from time to time off their sales. Vultures and wild birds perch on the refuse to search for meals, often times scattering them. The refuse grow up every day as people come at night with refuse bags and empty them on the high-heaped refuse dump in the market.

All efforts to reach the management of CUDA proved abortive. But an Environmental Health Officer who spoke with Campuslife at Calabar South Local Government said it is not the duty of the Local Government Council to clean up the streets. It used to be our duty. We can do it more effectively. But, since politicians came in, they decided to take over the whole duty. We sit here in the local government to collect salaries but politicians take over our jobs.
“It is duty to of CUDA to clean up Calabar streets. When their attention is called to it, they will do it”, he said.

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