The University of Calabar has marked its 50th anniversary with the conferment of Grand Ambassadors and Legacy Face of the University Award on the senate president, Mr Godswill Akpabio, governor of Cross River State, Mr Bassey Otu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives, Mr Benjamin Kalu, former minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, Dr Beta Edo, among others.
They were also permanently inducted into the University Hall of Fame.
Speaking after the conferment, Edu thanked the university’s management for finding her worthy of the recognition.
He described the award as “incredible honour” and pledged to continue to be a good ambassador of the institution.
“Thank you to the university’s esteemed management and staff for this incredible honour. I am truly humbled to receive this award, and I am grateful for the recognition in the hall of fame.
“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to my golden vice chancellor and her team, the student union government and my lecturers who have always supported me throughout my journey, and built leadership foundation for my public service.
“I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude and joy; this award is not just a recognition of my own efforts, but also a testament to the fact that more responsibilities have been given to me with far reaching impact in Nigeria and the globe.
Furthermore, she said UNICAL is powerful institution that actually built leadership skills in her.
To support the school’s infrastructural projects, the former minister announced that the Class 2009 of the medical school will be contributing to the completion and equipping of the new medical centre of the university.
On behalf of the class, said they would be supporting the project initially with N15 million.
Earlier in her welcome address, the vice chancellor, Prof Florence Obi recounted UNICAL’s journey as a campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and when it took off in 1975 as a full-fledged university, saying it is “50 years of resilience, 50 years of impactful knowledge and service to humanity.”
She said she was proud to Akpabio, Kalu, Out and others as alumni of the institution, not forgetting “my daughter, Dr Beta Edu for always making the University proud.
