As part of activities marking the end of her tenure, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, has sembarked on a valedictory visit to the Faculties of Administration and Management Sciences, Arts, Communication & Media Studies where she expressed heartfelt appreciation to staff and students for their immense support throughout her administration.
Her first port of call was the Faculty of Management Sciences, where the Dean, Prof. Bassey Bassey warmly welcomed and extolled her leadership qualities.
He lauded the Vice Chancellor for leaving indelible marks in the history of the University through transformative projects and people-oriented policies.
In her remarks, Prof Florence. Obi thanked members of the faculty for their loyalty and cooperation, noting that their support was pivotal to the achievements recorded during her five-year administration.
The VC later proceeded to the Faculty of Arts, where she was received with warmth and appreciation by the Dean, Professors, staff, and students.
The Dean praised her for her developmental strides across the University and for promoting academic excellence and staff welfare.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi expressed gratitude to the faculty for their collaboration and urged them to continue fostering a culture of innovation, unity, and scholarly excellence that has long defined the Faculty of Arts.
“I am here to say thank you for standing by us to achieve the milestones we’ve recorded.
Although we may not have realized all our dreams, I believe we have achieved over 80 percent of our vision plan, a commendable pass mark. For the good of the system, I urge everyone to extend the same level of support to the incoming administration,” she said.
The Vice Chancellor also expressed optimism that ongoing initiatives, including the newly built Hall of Fame, would be completely furnished by her successor.
The valedictory tour also took the Vice Chancellor to the Faculty of Communication and Media studies, where the newly appointed Dean, Prof. Andrew Esekong thanked her for the foresight in establishing the faculty as a disparate academic unit.
In her response, the varsity Administrator charged the new Dean to sustain the momentum and build on the solid foundation already laid.
She also encouraged students to maximize the use of the Unical Radio Station as a platform for practical learning and professional development.
“Your students are not making good use of the radio house. I encourage you to ensure that the studio continues to serve as a hands-on training facility for Mass Communication students,” she stated.
The visit to the Faculties of Management Science and Communication and Media studies featured the presentation of an award and gift items to the Vice Chancellor in recognition of her distinguished service and contributions to the University’s growth.
The visits, which formed part of the Vice Chancellor’s farewell engagements, were marked by warmth, commendation, and appreciation, as staff and students celebrated her impactful leadership and commitment to institutional growth.
