by crossriverwatch admin
The University of Calabar, UNICAL Students’ Union Government, SUG has honored their Dean Students’ Affair, Prof. Eyong Ubanga, a businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Jesse Ejemot amongst others with the Award of Excellence for their astute role in keeping the fire burning for students.
The Dean in an exclusive chart with our reporter in Calabar said “Truly I consider myself as a father of all the students because my duty is to create an enabling environment for them and they have seen it as a worthy course to award me”.
He maintained that “I take it as a call to do better just like the aphorism says when you give your son a tap on the back it’s an encouragement for him to keep it up and continue”.
Prof. Eyong thanked God for the award and hailed the role he has also played for the students. “I play the middle man role for them to ensure that they learn in a serene environment and agitate for their rights and interest in management activities.
“We have come here to obtain knowledge that will affect humanity so we need to make the environment conducive as possible. This is a service I am called to do as their Dean and it’s a service to my generation and humanity”.
He disclosed that his greatest challenge is to satisfy the needs of all the students. His words: “My greatest challenge is satisfying the needs of all my students spreading through academic,
personal, social, moral, economical and other forms of challenges intermingling with various characters but we are trying our best with the resources we have though what we are providing is not the best”.
He recalled that “Few days back I was watching the Nigerian television when they were talking about the budget and they said education is getting the highest allocation which is the first time we have been
hearing it for over five years. Though I feel excited but I know it is paper money”.
On his part, business man and philanthropist, Mr. Jesse Ejemot expressed delight with the honor accorded him saying “I am student friendly but most of all a graduate of UNICAL which gives me joy that the entire students will vote me for an award. It’s good. This is the 121st award I have received from 2004 till date with 80% of them from students union.
“I intervene most of the time when there is crisis and my contribution has been helpful but only the crisis rocking the National Association of Cross River State students World Wide, NACRISS WW which is no more hidden, that alone is the one I have not gotten myself involved yet for certain reasons.”
“When the President informed me initially I frowned at it but still they went ahead to award me which made me had a rethink considering the fact that they took me at heart. Besides, I’m a king maker here”.
He encouraged the students to shun cultism saying it is deadly. Mr. Ejemot said “All my years here as a student I never partook in any cult activity but I had my way and graduated a focused man which has helped me today. Be friendly don’t be envious”.
Earlier, the SUG President of the institution, Comrade Bassey Eka commended his students for ensuring that their students’ week successfully held without any crises.
The President reiterated his commitment to leading the students on the right path urging them to enjoy the event and remain conscious and don’t get carried away.
He prayed for God’s blessing and strength upon those that have started their examination especially the final year students.
The award ceremony which held yesterday at the UNICAL International Hotel Calabar was graced by students both past and present and other invited guests.
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