By Obeten Godfrey Follow @obeten_godfrey
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu has officially inaugurated the newly elected Students Union Government Executives (SUG), to pilot the affairs of the Union for the 2018/2019 academic session.
The event held at the Institution’s Senate Chambers recently, where the Vice Chancellor said it was a happy day for him because it was the first time in his administration that an SUG is successfully completing it’s tenure and peacefully handing over to a successor.
The University Administrator charged the new SUG Exco to discharge their duties diligently even as he gave assurances that management will continue to strive to put student’s welfare issues in the front burner to ensure a conducive learning environment.
Prof. Akpagu also commended the out gone SUG led by Afufu Anthony for being a shining example and lauded them for “showing strength of character, exemplified humility and good leadership, focus and commitment even in the midst of detracting elements.”
He used the occasion to commend the Calabar University Electoral Commission (CUECO), the Independent Observers Committee (IOC) for their objectivity, the Dean of Students’ Affairs and the University Security for its untiring efforts in ensuring peaceful co-existence on campus.
In separate remarks, the CUECO Chairman, Dr. James Okpiliya and the Chairman Independent Observer Committee, Barrister Joseph Etene, stated that the election were free, transparent and peaceful, noting that all efforts by trouble makers to hack into CUECO online site were unsuccessful due to the security checks in place.
They both commended the UNICAL Vice Chancellor for trusting them to deliver and promised to remain committed to the UNICAL course.
In a valedictory remark, the outgone SUG President, Anthony Afufu described the Vice Chancellor as an “Avatar,” and said “it will be difficult to see a Vice Chancellor so pro-student as Prof. Zana Akpagu”, attributing most of the successes recorded during his tenure to the positive disposition of the VC.
Similarly, in an acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated SUG President, Enyam Kelvin, expressed his appreciation to the Vice Chancellor for sustaining the “UNICAL dream” adding that his Exco is poised towards breaking new grounds and making worthy ambassadors for the Institution.
He called on the Institution’s authorities to support the new Exco to enable it deliver on the mandate entrusted on them; even as he pledged his Exco’s commitment to building on the gains of the past administration.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu had used the occasion to announce the immediate proscription of the Calabar Medical Students Association (CUMSA) over actions believed to be inimical to the peace and harmony of the University.
The newly sworn in SUG Executives are:
Joseph Kelvin-Enyam – President
Anietie Moses Ekanem – Vice President
Archibong Edet – Secretary General,
Obaji John Amaechi – Deputy Secretary General,
Favour Freedom – Financial Secretary.
Others are, Nwobodo Humphrey – Director of Welfare;
Ujah Christian – Director of Sports; Wisdom Benson – Director of Socials, and Ojong Takon – Director of Information.
Credit: Afufu Anthony