The management of the University of Calabar led by Professor Florence Banku Obi, the students of the institution and graduands celebrated 35th and 36th convocation in style at the Abraham Ordia stadium, Calabar, yesterday.
The event kicked off with procession by graduands of the university, Deans of Faculties, the Vice Chancellor, Florence Obi and the Chancellor, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.
Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, declared the assembly as 35th and 36th convocation ceremony of University of Calabar for pathos award in diplomas, first degrees, first graduates in diploma, masters and presentation of prizes.
He expressed appreciation and profound joy to have performed his first official function as the 6th Chancellor of the University.
“I am most delighted today as I stand before staff and students of the University of Calabar to perform my first official function of presiding over the 35th convocation of the University of Calabar after my installation as the 6th Chancellor of this great institution,” the Emir declared.
The Chancellor, while addressing the gathering charged the graduating students to follow the path of righteousness which leads to selfless service to the society and into glorious fulfilment.
He said “as you graduate today and start out your chosen career, you will find out that you are at the crossroads, the path you follow is of your own chosen. The path to the left leads out to hills and lands of selfish pursuit, the path to the right is the path of righteousness which leads to selfless service and glorious fulfilment. Therefore, it is incumbent on you to make the best choice. Your experiences as you journey through the highway of life will depend on this choice.”
In the same vein, The Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi profoundly thanked God for the second graduation ceremony in her administration.
She stated the peculiarity of the event, owing to eight months of torturous protracted strike that forestall the event last year.
“For me, after a year of much uncertainty in the university system due to union strikes that prevented us from staging the ceremony in 2022, this occasion is most gratifying to, assuring of brighter prospect in the system.”
Professor Obi also congratulated the 6th Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, describing his presence as the first time in more than 20 years that the Chancellor of the University will be gracing the convocation ceremony.
While addressing the graduands, she equally charged them to be good ambassadors of the University, reminding them that the alumni oath of allegiance they took implies a critical role towards the development of the University.
“In keeping with the motto of the University, knowledge for service, and as this solemn occasion call, we charge the graduands and image maker of their alma mater. The induction into the Unical alumni and oath of allegiance imply this change, reminding and even demanding that you play a critical role as alumni towards the development of our University.” She said.
In the same development, 5445 graduands were awarded first degrees and 171 diplomas according to the academic tradition.
Of the 5,445 first degrees, 11 persons distinguished themselves with first class honour, 1,052 second class upper divisions, 3647 second class lower division, 721 third class and 4 Pass degree.
Also, Masters and Diploma level had a total of 1606 persons who 1,104 and 502 earn Masters and post graduate diplomas respectively.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the number would have been higher, if not for the protracted strike that affected the University for 8 months in 2022.