History As A’Ibom Son Bags First Class, Overall Best Graduating Student At UNICAL

UKO, UBONG EDET has made history by becoming the first student to bag a First Class in Faculty of Vocational and Science Education at the University of Calabar (UNICAL). He was honoured at the 36th convocation ceremony of the institution.

By Ubong Akpan
The convocation at the Abraham Ordia Stadium of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) was top-notch. A graduating student, Ubong Uko, from Okobo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State made history by bagging a first class, the overall best (2020/2021) since Faculty of Vocational and Science Education (Business Education Unit) was introduced in the Varsity, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.84, Ubong’s academic feat was the highpoint of celebration at the recent convocation ceremony held at the institution.
It was a glamorous moment for the graduates, as they were joined by their family members and friends.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi, led the procession of other principal officers, including the Registrar/Secretary of Council, Mr Gabriel O. Egbe; Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita; Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof Eno Grace Nta; Deputy Vice Chancellor Reseach, Prof. C. Okafor; Bursar, Prince Joseph Odum; Librarian, Prof Aniebiet Inyang Ntui; Provost; Deans of Faculties; Directors; Heads of Departments, Convocation lecturer.
The Vice-Chancellor 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.
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.
Among awardees were three illustrious Nigerians 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”.
While speaking with newsmen, Ubong a self-sponsored student, said, “he is 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 Business Education 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.
While extending appreciation to the Chancellor, His Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero (Emir of Kano) for the award and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Banku Obi for providing a conducive environment and the facilities that promotes learning. Prof. Duruamaku-Dim propounded that Performance Relative Model is the combination of Intelligent Quotient (IQ) and Environmental Factors, the implies that, no matter how talented and intelligent we are but without the necessary environmental factors to promote studies, we will find it difficult to graduate successfully.
According to him, he won Chancellor Award as the Best Graduating Student of the school (2020/2021); Vice Chancellor Award as the Best Graduating Students of the School (2020/2021); Dean’s Award as the Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Vocational and Science Education; Head of Department Award as the Best Graduating Student of the Department of Vocational Education; Head of Department Award as the Best Graduating Student 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.