UNICAL Entrepreneurial Development Center Holds Fourth Graduation

By Monday Ogar

The University of Calabar Entrepreneurship Center has graduated more than 1000 students of the school who had undergone sixteen weeks training on various entrepreneurial ventures in the center.

The graduation ceremony which was the fourth of such in the University held at the University of Calabar International Conference center and had in attendance the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Julius Okojie, Managing Director of Cross River Tourism Bureau, Mr. Micheal Williams and principal officers of the University.

While giving his address titled “Entrenching Entrepreneurship Spirit in Nigerian Graduates”, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof Julius Okojie who was represented by the Deputy Secretary of the NUC, Mr. Ibrahim Dariya, said the entrepreneurship development program was introduced into the University curriculum so as to curb the ever growing population of unemployed graduates roaming the streets.

Prof. Okojie commended the University of Calabar management for the zeal and seriousness it is applying to entrepreneurship development, pointing out the fact that the graduation which is the fourth of its kind, shows how the program is being taken. He restated the commissions’ resolve to continually partner with universities in the promotion of the program.

Also speaking, the Managing Director Cross River Tourism Bureau, Mr. Michael Williams enjoined all graduates not to forget what the focal point of their business is, which is “customer satisfaction.” He reminded graduands that all big businesses today were once small and that if graduates focused their businesses on “problem solving” their story won’t be different.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. James Epoke, represented by the DVC Academic, Prof. Zana Akpagu said “UNICAL prides itself in producing graduates that are adaptable and competent in the 21st century workplace.” He added that “it is pursuant of our motto that we produce graduates who are not job seekers but opportunity creators.”

While giving his graduation address, the Director of the entrepreneurial center, Prof. Usang Usang Bassey told the graduands not to forget what they have been thought in the classroom and to remember that all ventures are born out of ideas and not the availability of funds. The graduation closed with exhibitions by various ventures.

The entrepreneurial development program is a sixteen weeks program for undergraduates of the University, where they are trained on different entrepreneurial skills inclusive of web development, fashion design, barbing, catering, event management, photography, video coverage among others.