CROSS RIVER
An Akwa Ibom indigene has made history by bagging a first class and emerged as the overall best graduate at the recently conducted convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar (UNICAL)
Mr Ubong Uko of the Faculty of Vocational and Science Education (Business Education Unit), obtained a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.84
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Florence Obi, in her speech said, the University recorded the highest number of first class graduates during its 36th convocation.
According to her, 46 first class graduands joined no fewer than 8,400 others to be conferred with various degrees and awards, 745 Masters graduands, 438 PhD graduands during the 36th Convocation ceremony.
She explained that the introduction of quality assurance measures helped increase the number of first-class graduates from the institution.
“We have put in place some quality assurance measures, customized booklets, and reduced sorting syndrome in the system. We introduced quality assurance measures and other steps that will make students sit up and read their books and the students sat up. Students are now reading and so we have that number graduating with first class”
“We also introduced a scholarship scheme in all the 110 departments across the school and we expect that the positive competition will be huge going forward,” she added.
Speaking after the event, Uko, a self-sponsored student said he was grateful to God for His grace and mercy, protection and preservation throughout the period of studentship in the institution.
” I am grateful to God Almighty for his grace, mercy, preservation/protection throughout his programme in the school and for the privilege to emerge as the Best Graduating Student (2020/2021) of the noble citadel of learning, university of Calabar. Of the 145 student admitted into his department five years ago, 83 were lucky to complete the programme. To the management, the ceremony was a turning point in the history of the institution and the Radiography Department”, he added.
“The university education equipped us for a global impact. Yes, I strongly believe that the very essence of the knowledge and skills acquired is to enable us bring light to our family, our nation and the global society. I also believe that it is not a time to relax but the time to put in more works, of course, it is said that the reward for good work is more work”, he said.
He appreciated the system for providing an enabling teaching and learning environment for students to excel.
Uko won several awards including the Chancellor award for the best graduating student of the school (2020/2021); the Vice Chancellor award as the best graduating students of the institution, (2020/2021); the Dean’s award as the best graduating student in the Faculty of Vocational and Science Education.
Others were the Head of Department award as the best graduating student of the Department of Vocational Education and the Head of Department award as the best graduating student of Department of Business Education Unit.
Other best students were, Essien Victor Godwin (Medical Laboratory Science), Hodsome Mercy Isioma (Animal Science), Odama Love E.(Food Science and Technology), Offiong Simon Ini (Computer Science) and Keke Chibueze (Zoology and Environmental Science) respectively.
At the convocation, three illustrious Nigerians were honoured with honouris causa, these include: Dame Winifred Akpan, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Oil and Gas; Ms Bamijokotola Johnson, Trustee, Ecogreen Foundation and CEO Catalyst Gold Agro Allied Limited; and Dr. Anyanwu Okechukwu, MD/CEO DCL Group.
The convocation had the convocation lecture by Bishop Matthew Kukah on the title: “Harmonising Diversity for National Development”.
Mr Ubong Uko hails from Okobo local government area.
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