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UNICAL

  • Gunmen abduct Unical Director

    Gunmen abduct Unical Director

    The Director of Servicom at the University of Calabar , Prof. Patrick Egaga was on Sunday night abducted by gunmen at the University staff quarters.

    Egaga who is a professor at the department of Special Education in the institution was said to have been abducted at his resident.

    The Police Command in Cross River which confirmed the abduction in an interview in Calabar on Monday, said that action has been initiated to secure his release.

    The command’s spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo who confirmed the incident,  said that though the family didn’t report the incident, we are working to secure his release.”

    The institution’s spokesperson, Mr Effiong Eyo also said the university learnt of the abduction on Monday morning.

    The gunmen were said to have whisked the don away through the river that overlooked the university’s staff quarters.

    It was gathered that they also came in through the same river that connects Calabar to Akpabuyo Local Government Area of the state.

  • 20 UNICAL students land in hospital after exam stampede

    20 UNICAL students land in hospital after exam stampede

    Twenty students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) were on Saturday rushed to the university’s teaching hospital following a stampede at an examination hall at the campus.

    The stampede occurred where the students were billed to write the General Studies and Communication Skills (GSS) examination that was postponed to Saturday from Friday.

    The GSS examination was for the 100 level students from all the faculties of the university.

    The examination, meant to be taken in batches, saw the students rushing to secure space from the few available ones.

    Saturday’s GSS examination was meant to be the climax of the institution’s second semester examinations that started on Oct. 16.

    Meanwhile, the university’s management has declined to comment on the stampede. A competent source, however, confirmed the incident.

  • Suspended UNICAL don not kidnapped, but arrested by security agency – Police

    Suspended UNICAL don not kidnapped, but arrested by security agency – Police

    Police in Cross River on Thursday debunked alleged abduction of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, suspended Professor of Law and Dean of  Faculty of Law, University of Calabar.

    Police spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, stated in Calabar that Ndifon was not kidnapped but was picked up by government security agents.

    She noted that the rumoured abduction was aimed at causing panic.

    “Police hereby state that Prof. Ndifon was not kidnapped as speculated, but arrested by a government security agency for interrogation.

    “Police also advise members of the public to disregard information on social media platforms about the purported abduction as it is subversive.

    “It is misleading and a calculated attempt to cause panic or breach of the peace enjoyed in the state,’’ Ugbo stated.

    She assured that the police would get to the source of the “obnoxious rumour’’.

    The professor’s son, David Ndifon, had earlier told newsmen that gunmen invaded their residence at Akpabuyo in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River and fired gunshots sporadically before taking the professor away.

    He said the incident happened between the 11 p.m. on Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday.

    “We have been trying our best and making necessary calls to ensure his safe return,’’ David had said.

    The university placed Ndifon on suspension over allegations bordering on sexual harassment of students, among others.

  • UniCal VC receives investigative panel report, promises to share with ministers, NUC

    UniCal VC receives investigative panel report, promises to share with ministers, NUC

    Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, UniCal, has formally received the report of the investigative panel set up to probe allegations of improprieties against Prof. Cyril Ndifon, suspended Dean of Law Faculty.

    Receiving the report at a ceremony in her office in Calabar, Obi commended the panel for its effort towards the achievement of a thorough and objective report within a short period of time.

    Two months ago, students from the Faculty of Law, led by their president, had staged a protest in the institution against Ndifon over several allegations including sexual impropriety; for this, an investigative panel was set up.

    The VC said though management had not gone through the report, she believed it would be useful to the university in achieving the needed closure of the matter.

    “This report will be presented to the Ministers of Education and that of Women Affairs,  as well as the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC) as delivered by the panel, nothing will be added.

    “On the scale of mixed comments in the public which has trailed the reportage of the subject matter, the report of the panel would serve as the mouthpiece of the university to all.

    “The committee members were carefully selected based on their offices, position and credibility, I describe them as individuals full of capacity and integrity,” she said.

    Obi added that though it was unusual to have external observers for any investigation in the university due to the sensitive nature of the issues raised and the personalities involved, management had to make an exception.

    Presenting the report, the Chairman of the panel, Prof. Dorothy Jacob, said the they were sent on a fact-finding-mission and collectively, they came to present their findings.

    “We went out of our way to investigate the issues point by point; we did not relyon hearsay.

    “Every finding has evidence with verification, the result was not made up or cooked. Every fact here can be verified,” she said.

    She added that the work was done objectively and all stakeholders were allowed to speak their minds

  • UniCal VC condemns alleged assault on students, calls for investigation

    UniCal VC condemns alleged assault on students, calls for investigation

    Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UniCal), has condemned an alleged assault on students of the institution by a suspected lecturer.

    Obi made the condemnation in a statement on Monday following a video clip that surfaced online on Sunday night, of a suspected lecturer in the institution flogging a group of students at the entrance to a classroom with a belt.

    She said according to reports, the students are of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, who were waiting for their practicals before the unfortunate incident occurred.

    “Although, I am currently on official function outside the state my attention has been drawn to the said clip.

    “The Acting VC, Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita, Director of ServiCom, Prof. Patrick Egaga, Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. Tony Enyang and the Acting Chief Security officer of the Institution, retired Capt. Austine Bisong are already handling it.

    “The said incident is unprofessional and against the university’s rules of engagement,” she said

    While condemning the incident, Obi appealed to the students and general public to maintain calm as justice would be served, adding that the investigation had commenced already.

  • Sex scandal: My comments extremely regrettable – Minister

    Sex scandal: My comments extremely regrettable – Minister

    Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, says she regrets comments credited to her in a viral video, concerning the sexual harassment scandal at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) in Cross River.

    The declaration comes as response to recent public discussions and reactions by concerned Nigerians, regarding the unfolding situation at the institution, involving Prof. Cyril Ndifon,  Dean of the Faculty of Law and the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him.

    Kennedy-Ohanenye, in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, reiterated her commitment to justice, safeguarding and advancing the rights and welfare of Nigerian women, including the pursuit of justice whenever their rights were violated.

    She emphasised her unwavering dedication to upholding due diligence and the rule of law, recognising that justice and fairness were the fundamental principles upon which equitable societies were built.

    “I wish to express my sincere apologies to those who were offended by my comments and actions, regarding the sexual harassment scandal at the University of Calabar.

    ” This is extremely regrettable, as my intentions were sincere and aligned with my consistent advocacy for the welfare of Nigerian women and the pursuit of justice.

    “I stand for all Nigerian women and I stand for justice and it is my hope that we can work together to actualise the dream of a country where women’s rights are respected and protected and where our daughters feel safe in institutions of learning,” she said.

    It would be recalled that during a recent appearance on AIT, the minister was unequivocal in her condemnation of sexual harassment and related offences.

    She also expressed deep concern over the escalating cases of sexual harassment across campuses and emphasised the need for decisive action, assuring that her ministry would actively seek justice for those affected.

  • Alleged sexual harassment: We’re not distracted by noise makers – UNICAL

    Alleged sexual harassment: We’re not distracted by noise makers – UNICAL

    The Management of the University of Calabar ( UNICAL) has assured the general public that the institution would not allow any distraction by noise makers and what was described as ‘alternative truths’ over the alleged sexual harassment and high handedness against Prof. Cyril Ndifon by Law Students.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi stated this on Friday in her office at the University on ( Friday, September, 15, 2023) while reacting to the alleged leaked viral audio of the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy on a telephone conversation with one of the female law students that testified against the former Dean, Prof. Ndifon.

    In the leaked viral audio, the Minister was alleged to be questioning one of the girls on their claims of sexual harassment by the former Dean.

    Describing it as intimidation and jail threats coming from the Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the few girls that were bold enough to testify to the panel on an alleged age-long sexual harassment and other violations , the VC reiterated that they were not prompted by anyone as being insinuated.

    She stated, ” you are all aware of the wind that has been blowing in our revered faculty of Law as a result of allegations of sexual improprieties and managerial turbulence that are threatening the integrity of legal training in the University.

    “While management has tried to deal with the issues within the procedural laws of administrative resolution, a completely new dimension has unfortunately reared its head in way that has left us noplussed with the leaked viral audio of intimidation and jail threats from the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy, on the few girls who were bold enough to come out to testify on an alleged age-long sexual harassment of female law students against Prof. Cyril Ndifon.

    ” Why I do not consider it expedient to respond to the disturbing things said by the Minister in the said audio, I wish to generally state that , the students of the faculty of Law, on their own, wrote and submitted a petition and protested against the suspended Dean. And, as I know, those who have testified before the panel on both sexual harassment and other violations were not prompted by anyone.

    ” Let me use the opportunity and assure the general public that we are not going to be distracted by any noise, accusations and ‘alternative truths’ some have chosen to engage in.
    “In the end, the success recorded so far and the ones ahead, God willing, shall overwhelm this noise. ” Prof. Obi prayed.

    She said to demonstrate the management’s interest in ensuring an injective, unbiased investigation, they have accepted the request from some agencies and groups to serve as observers in the panel of investigation.
    She added, ” As a reminder, I wish to restate the fact that this administration has nothing personal against Prof. Cyril Ndifon other than her commitment to seeing that the University achieves her vision, mission and philosophy.”

    While appreciating the Honorable Minister for the enormity of the office she occupied, she said,” But my responsibility as Vice-Chancellor and those of other well-meaning Nigerians, no matter their office or position in life are no less important in the building of a greater Nigeria. Indeed, we are all partners in building our nation and serving humanity.” The VC stated.

  • UNICAL denies fees increment

    UNICAL denies fees increment

    The Management of the University of Calabar (UniCal) has debunked claims of any increase in school charges.

    The clarification made in a statement by office of the institution’s Registrar, Mr Gabriel Egbe, on Saturday came on the heels of a report online that the university had increased its charges.

    Egbe referred to the news as untrue and a calculated attempt to cause disarray in the school.

    “The report on some news platforms about increment in charges by the institution is false, misleading and malicious.

    “It is a deliberate ploy by detractors to cause chaos in the reputable institution.

    “Members of the public, as conveyed by the statement are enjoined to disregard the report as it did not emanate from the university,” he said.

  • UNICAL VC assures NBA of transparent investigation of suspended Dean

    UNICAL VC assures NBA of transparent investigation of suspended Dean

    Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, has assured the Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) that the ongoing investigation of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, suspended Dean of faculty of Law, would be transparent and devoid of bias.

    Obi gave the assurance on Wednesday in Calabar when officials of the NBA, led by the first National Vice President, Mrs Rose Bala, paid her a courtesy visit.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC) who spoke against the backdrop of allegations of sexual harassment of female students and abuse of office leveled against the embattled Dean, applauded the NBA for its show of concern.

    “A committee has already been set- up to carry out a thorough investigation to authenticate the veracity of the allegations; the matter will not be treated with kid gloves.

    “The corporate image of the institution is at stake, a cogent reason why we will ensure that fairness and transparency are deployed in the course of the investigation,” she maintained.

    Expressing dismay over the ugly incident, she said her administration would stop at nothing to stamp-out unethical practices in the Institution.

    The VC added that those found guilty would be made to face the full weight of the law while the University Management would beam its searchlight on the Faculty of Law to forestall a reoccurrence.

    Earlier, Bala said that the essence of the visit was for the association to get the right information.

    She commended the Vice-Chancellor and the University management for their stance on the issue, while stressing the need for the victims to be counselled to be able to speak-up about their experiences without fear of victimisation.

    Bala also requested the Vice Chancellor to integrate NBA members into the panel investigating the matter.

  • UNICAL replaces suspended Dean of Law faculty

    UNICAL replaces suspended Dean of Law faculty

    Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, has approved the appointment of Dr. Rose Ugbe as the Acting Dean, Faculty of Law.

    A statement by the Registrar of the University, Mr Gabriel Egbe, said that Ugbe would replace Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the former Dean, who was suspended on Aug. 17 following allegations bordering on highhandedness.

    Egbe is specifically accused of improper behaviour towards female students, among other irregularities.

    Already, a seven-man panel has been set up to look into the allegations.

    The statement indicated that Ugbe’s appointment took effect from Tuesday, August 22, and would run till a substantive Dean is elected for the faculty.

    It said that Ugbe would take up the responsibilities and duties associated with the office and also oversee the faculty’s academic programmes.

    She would also foster a healthy relationship among staff and students, and create a positive environment for teaching and learning in the faculty.

    Other functions include supporting faculty members in their research activities and collaborating with the University administration to implement and actualise the institution’s vision.