The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi has announced a scholarship scheme for students of the institution during the institution’s 46th matriculation ceremony.
The VC stated this while welcoming 8,956 new students to the University on Friday at the Abraham Ordia stadium.
Prof. Obi who reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to academic excellence stated that the Vice Chancellor’s scholarship will be exclusively for students who display exceptional academic performance with the highest CGPAs from the various departments.
According to her, “Today, we are admitting approximately 9,000 lucky young men and women into the higher education calling of the universe in the hope that you, in your different callings, will contribute to knowledge and service to the Nigerian nation. It has always been said that knowledge is the shining sun in the firmament, while education guarantees freedom and a sense of justice. It is based on the above that I want to announce to you what other students including your SUG have never benefitted from in the past, the Vice-Chancellor’s scholarship for our best students across all departments starting from this session. This was approved by the University Senate to serve as a motivation for our students. Hence, work hard to grab it”.
Giving a breakdown of students admitted for the 2023/2024 session, the Vice Chancellor said a total of 20,250 candidates made Unical their first choice but only about 8,956 candidates gained admission.
With this, she said the figure showed that they are the few lucky ones as she admonished the matriculants to be dedicated to their academic work, pay their school charges, register their courses, and shun all forms of anti-social activities such as cultism, rape, sexual harassment, fighting, stealing or drunkenness just as they were advised during the orientation that it may jeopardize their future and cause reputational damage to the hard-earned image of the University.
Prof. Obi also reiterated her administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of students on campus and stamping out all forms of undue exploitation or harassment by fellow students or staff.
Comr. Onigah Joseph Egidi is the SA, Media and Strategic Communications, VC Office
