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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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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Kidnapped Unical 3 Released

3 persons kidnapped from the staff quarters of University of Calabar (UNICAL) have regained their freedom after spending 10 days in the underworld.

Dr. David Iniama and wife and Daughter of Dr. Wilfred Ndifon were kidnapped on May Day holiday by a group of gun men who raided Unical staff quarters at around 8PM. After they were kidnapped, the gunmen made away with their human-booty with a ready speed boat. They took through the Qua River which shares boundary with the University campus via the Staff Quarters region.

Dr. David is the son of Barr. Iniama who is the Deputy Registrar of Unical Graduate School while Dr. Wilfred Ndifon is a lecturer in the Unical Medical Collage.

The gunmen, numbering about 9, raided Unical staff quarters, shooting sporadically into the air. There was no report of bullet injuries after the operation.

The hoodlums who troubled the peace of staff quarters for a period of not less than 20 minutes were unchallenged by security personnel around the area including the Unical security team and a group of policemen who were contracted by the residents to assist the security of the quarters.

After 10 days of abduction, the Unical 3 were released to join their families who had been engaged in intensive prayers.

In a chat with our correspondent, Barr. Iniama expressed appreciation to God for the return of his son, Dr. David Iniama to the family. “We thank God that our loved ones have rejoined us. I have nothing much to say but to give glory to God”.

Barr. Iniama refused to make comments regarding ransom paid for release, negotiations following to the release of the abductees.

The residence of Dr. Ndifon was under lock and key when our correspondent visited.

However, English Puppies (baby dogs) were seen chained to the corridors of most lecturers who reside in the quarters. There are indications that the puppies were acquired recently to assist keep the quarters secure. The university management is yet to approve the use of pets in the University environment.
Our correspondents were not informed if the University management played any role in the negotiation and release of the abductees.

Meanwhile, there were indications that the security around the staff quarters area of the University has been beefed up following the incident. When our reporters visited, security officials were seen around the axis.

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UNICAL 67th Inaugural Lecture

 

By Ubong Edet

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) 67th inaugural lecture which took place on 11th May, 2016 started at about 3pm with a procession by the Vice Chancellor, Management team and the inaugural lecturer. The event that took place in UNICAL International Conference Center witnessed a great turnout within and outside the school community.

The Vice Chancellor who was ably represented by DVC Academics Prof. Florence Obi in her welcome/opening speech thanked God for making the day a reality, also expresses gratitude to everyone who sidelined their different engagements to be in the lecture.

At the end, she implored everyone to sit back and listen careful as the lecture goes on.

After due introduction of the inaugural lecturer Prof. Mildred John, here comes the lecture - VALUE-ADDED NURSING CARE: BEST PRACTICE OR WISHFUL THINKING?

Prof. Mildred started the lecture by reprimanding the words of Florence Nightingale which is “Unless we are making progress in our nursing every year, every month, every week, take my word for it we are going back” and “I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results”.

According to her, at a time the Nursing profession was at the crossroads especially in Nigeria and many other developing nations, stressing that there are so many challenges confronting the Nursing Profession  in Nigeria.

These challenges according to her are the fact that the public image of the nurse is still far from good, nurses are not practicing optimally as stipulated by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) as well as the shortage of Nurses have led to task shifting, and evidence-based practice  not fully implemented.

She blamed the scenario in the health sector where a 21st-century medical Technology is being delivered with 20th century organizational structures and management practices, as the reason why many protocols put in place to improve patient care generally and nursing care delivery in particular merely add quantity but fail to improve the value of the care being delivered.

She noted that the ability of the nurse to respond to people’s needs within the rapidly changing environment of health care depends on the way in which nursing work is organized in the health care delivery system, the way in which nursing practice is regulated, the quality of care assured, the way in which nurse practitioners are prepared, and the way that nursing itself is defined.

Speaking further, she said the Nursing profession should be seen as an art, a science, a vocation, a profession, a practice discipline and a career about caring and it is a crucial part of healthcare delivery and the largest health care occupation accounting for about 70% of the clinical workforce in any country with goals to promote health and wellness, prevent illness and injury, restore health and alleviate suffering, ensuring that individuals, families and communities attain, maintain and/or recover optima health and wellbeing.

She concluded that value-added care is therefore the best practice and nurses must strive to use it when caring for patients in order for the profession to survive in the contemporary health care system.

She said: "based on the above discoursed, is it possible to achieve value-added nursing care as best practice in Nigeria, or is this mere wishful thinking?

" The answer to this question is a definite ‘Yes’ if the care given by the nurse involves this 7Cs – Care, Compassion, Competence, Effective Communication, Courage, Commitment, and Change in attitude (humanitude).

"These are implied in the global standards of nursing practice for patient-centered care.
A value-added nurse must contribute the following; Serving locally, transforming regionally and leading globally."

She recommended the following as prerequisites to achieving Value-Added Nursing in Nigeria:

(i) Preparing nurses in Nigeria to provide value-added care through appropriate nursing education.

(ii) Investing in up-skilling of the current workforce and employment of more nurses with Bachelor of Nursing degree in direct patient care.

(iii) Internship in nursing.

(iv) Leading change through research.

(v) Effective leadership and mentoring in nursing.

(vi) Use of theoretical models of care in patient care, especially the nursing process and caring models in Nigeria.

(vii) Improving the work environment to make it conducive to practice value-added nursing care.

(viii) Evidence- based and best practice guidelines.

(ix) Enforcing appropriate and supportive human resources policies for value-added nursing practice.

The highpoints of the lecture were the presentation of award by the vice chancellor to the Inaugural Lecturer as University of Calabar 67th Inaugural Lecturer and also declaring the lecture closed.

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In Photos: University of Calabar 67th Inaugural Lecture

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) last Wednesday, 11th May, held her 67 inaugural lecture on the topic 'valued-added nursing care: best practice or wishful thinking? '

The inaugural lecture presented  by Prof. Mildred E. John was held at the University International Conference Centre amid great attendance.

See the pictures of the event after the cut.

Photo 1: The inaugural lecturer, Prof. Mildred E. John  in an excited mood after doing justice to the lecture. 

Photo 2: Prof. Mildred E. John making her presentation. 

Photo 3: the academia at the event  

Photo 4: Students of Nursing science were not left out. The were fully represented. 

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Korean Ambassador Lectures the Academy

By: Ubong Edet

It was insightful, impacting and imparting as University of Calabar (Unical) receives the Ambassador of Republic of Korea to Nigeria, His Excellency Ambassador Noh Kyu-Duk who came for 2016 Biennial Lecture series.

The university management declared the day lecture-free for the academic community members to attend.

The lecture had the propensity of drawing people from far and near to the University the likes of the Prelate, Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN), His Eminence, Most Rev. Prof. E. M. Uka and others too numerous to mention.

The Chairman of the event Prof. Chris Nwamoh, Director Center for Asian-African Studies Unical in his opening remarks welcomed Management, Staff and Students of the University to the 2016 Biennial Lecture Series of Ambassador of Republic of Korea.

Prof. Zana Akpagu, the Chief Host in his speech said “on behalf of the Governing Council, Senate, Management, Staffs and Students welcome His Excellency to University of Calabar. We are particularly delighted that you’ve chosen our University for your lecture.

“I want to quickly give credit to my predecessor Prof. Epoke for this initiative, for attracting very honorable and collaborative partners to this University”.

“I want to also thank His Excellency for choosing us; we are just one University among one hundred and eight (180) now in the nation. For us it’s a privilege. We also see it as some form of recognition; sometimes we tend to forget our work, so an occasion like this will help revive the dormant spirit in us. This is an opportunity to foster closer time with you, because Korea doesn’t have oil like Nigeria but one of the most developed countries in the world, all of these are achieved with the investment in human capital. We want to learn from you because even our oil is becoming a curse to us, for we’ve not been able to harness the benefit and transform our country to be like that of Dubai, Saudi Arabia or any of the developed states. This is so because we’ve missed from the starting point and thank you for choosing our students, for they are the future leaders.

As I told you earlier in the meeting we had behind closed doors in my office, I’ll be visiting you with a long shopping lists, for you to help us establish hydro-electrical project, we also want to establish Malabo FM, we want to introduce E-Learning so you can help us achieve all of these, due to your inclination in technologies., we are also going to establish the Korean Cultural Centre in the University so we want to collaborate with you to help us do Students/Lecturers exchange, so we can build a closer time with you and the Republic of South Korea. Once again, you are welcomed”.

Speaking on the topic, the underbelly of South Korea’s economic Development; Korea and Nigeria at 36, Korean Amassador dissects history revealing that Korea has a protracted challenge but in the challenge is a miracle that led to the economic glory.

A country born some decades ago among other Asian Tigers, Korea was in worst economic condition than Nigeria. However, with determination, Korea engineered the trajectory in their history that gave them the effrontery to pull out to greatness.

He said Korea’s economy suffered because of series of wars that eventually resulted in economic glory.

How can Nigeria spur up to economic glory? The elite adviced that the Nigerian can overcome oil curse to become top global economy in the world when the youths are equipped with updated skills and technologies, provided platforms for secured jobs. He adds that income should be effectively generated to reduce the high verve poverty to its barest minimum by the Nigerian government.

He expressed Korea’s readiness to partner with Nigeria in order to develop both countries.

“Why I chose to come to Nigeria again as Korean Ambassador to Nigeria is because Nigeria is the future of Africa”, he opined.

He likened Nigeria to Korea of yesteryears noting that “Korea started its journey of development in the 1960s and 1970s. From 1970 it went into Petroleum thereafter in 1980s delved into electricity.

The story is different for Korea today as “Korea produces 80,000 mega watts per day. We later went into Saemaul (New Village) Movement – Rural development, whereby the capital city gave funds and materials such as housing, road, bridges materials to rural environment to remove all the thatch houses and make good road network to help boost their economy.

“Today Korea is one of the largest in the world as regards ship building, Kia Automobile, Samsung, LG product to the Labour Market. Korea has nothing less than 50,000,000 populations”.

Nigeria’s friendliness with Korea is age long as Presidents of both countries visit themselves occasionally for business talks, seminars and signing of agreements.

President Chun visited Nigeria 1982 during Shagari’s regime. President Obasanjo went to Korea in the year 2000. President Roh came to Abuja in 2006; that was in Obasano’s regime. Obasanjo, the same year visited Korea. In 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan visited Korea for a Nuclear Security Summit. President Buhari visited Korea also in 2015.

Korea is establishing some project and companies in Nigeria such as Samsung Heavy Industries, FPSO, Hyundai Car Plant, Daewoo Nigeria Building Limited and Solar-Powered Internet School. Other establishments include Taekwondo Classes, K-Pop Dance Competition of which Nigeria won last year in Korea and that shows that Nigeria is indeed a nation embedded with much natural abilities.

Ambassor Noh Kyu-Duk disclosed that Korean government is making plans to establish E-Government System in Nigeria to help foster transparency in the government.

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UNICAL Residents Raise Alarm Over Abandonment of Refuse and Impending Epidemic

By Stanley Uchegbu

The residents of University of Calabar (UNICAL) hostel, Goldie street axis and shop owners have on Tuesday called on the Cross River state government to prevail on the stench emanating from refuse being dumped at the Goldie market.

The residents who feared they might soon contact airborne disease due to their long exposure to heap of refuse blamed their predicament on the management of the Cross River State Environmental Protection Agency, whom they accused of insensitivity and dereliction of duty.

The areas which have become impassable because of the offensive odour emanating from the refuse, are said to be abandoned by the Agency who seems to have no plans to evacuate the refuse which is life threatening to the residents.

A UNICAL security man who works at the small gate of the campus just opposite the Dump site who spoke under the condition of anonymity explained that for a long time the odour from the refuse has caused them a lot of inconveniences and expressed the fear that the outbreak of epidemic was imminent if the situation was not checked.

For food vendors and market sellers at the market “the stench from the site has recently affected our business as most of our customers have refused to patronise us due to the development”, a shop owner who gave his name as Philip said.

According to John Nsikak who lives at Goldie street axis, “some residents of the street took advantage of the situation to empty waste at odd hours of the night”. This is bad.

He said odour was so bad that even if you lock yourself inside your room, “you were not safe”, he complained.

For shop owners around the street the story was the same as investigations showed that business has been low due to the stench from the refuse dump.

“Since this thing started, many students don’t come here again to buy food especially the those who stays off campus”, lamented Mrs. Jane Umoh, a food vendor.

While wondering when dumping of refuse would stop at that site, she urged the relevant government agency to do something about it.

A shop owner who did not give his name for fear of being victimized described their situation as helpless which he said they have committed into the hands of God.

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Newspaper Vendors Decry Low Patronage in Calabar

By Stanley Uchegbu

Some newspaper vendors in Calabar municipality have expressed disappointment over low patronage of newspapers, attributing it to the increase in the price from the initial N150 to N200.

When visited some of the junctions where they make their sales, reports that the turnout of buyers was unimpressive.

Victor Edet, a newspaper vendor at the UNICAL main gate said that since last two months the price was increased, patronage from buyers has not been encouraging.

He said that people would come, price and go without buying, adding that the increase was affecting their business.

Some of our customers now use their smart phones to browse news, said Victor.

Charles Madu, one of the vendors at Marian hill said that he made more sales when the price stood at N150.

He noted that even though many workers have received their salaries, yet the situation was also affecting their business.

“I do not think I will be here much longer because business is very dull.

“I had expected that with the payment of salaries more customers would buy; but that has not been the case,’’ he said.

He pleaded with the newspaper publishers to come to their rescue by reducing the price to its normal N150.

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