Unical gets first female Vice Chancellor forty years after inception

Professor Florence Obi of the Faculty of Education has been elected the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar forty-five years after the inception of the school.

Announcing the result of the election which took place on Thursday, 10th September, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the University said Professor Obi defeated twelve other contestants to the position to be elected the eleventh substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university.

“What we assured the university community is that we were going to be transparent, open, fair and just.

“There is a guideline from the Ministry of Education as to how to conduct interview for the appointment of vice-chancellor and there are so many parameters we had to look into and that was exactly what we did.

“What I expect from her is to look at what the outgoing Vice-chancellor has done, governance is a continuum, start from where he has stopped and ensure there is integration even amongst all the people that contested with her,” Senator Nwaogu said.

Professor Obi who is 65-years-old has served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration of the university and was the only female aspirant to the position and would serve as the substantive vice-chancellor of the university for the next five years.

She told Vanguard shortly after the election that she would run an all-inclusive administration to bring changes that would enthrone a lasting legacy to the university during her tenure.

“The process was free and fair and I commend all those who conducted the screening and election for doing a credible job which ensured the best came top”.

She will formally assume the post December 1, 2020 while the incumbent vice-chancellor, Professor Zana Akpagu will vacate office on the 30th of November.