Vice Chancellor Celebrates 4th Anniversary with Landmark Achievements

Professor Florence Obi, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar in Cross River State, Nigeria, has marked her 4th anniversary with a series of landmark achievements that have significantly transformed the institution’s trajectory. Her leadership has been characterized by academic excellence, infrastructural development, and innovative reforms that have elevated the university’s profile both locally and internationally.

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Under her tenure, the university has witnessed improvements in research output, expansion of academic programs, and the fostering of a conducive learning environment for students and staff. Professor Obi’s achievements are a testament to her visionary leadership and dedication to advancing the institution’s mission.

Professor Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, marked her 4th anniversary with key achievements, including the completion of a $13 million solar energy plant, ensuring consistent power supply and advancing sustainability on campus.

The $13 million solar energy plant at the University of Calabar, initiated in 2018 under the Nigeria-German Energy Partnership, aims to address electricity needs for the university and its teaching hospital. Set to fully commence in January 2025, the project is a major step toward energy reliability and sustainability.

In her anniversary speech, Professor Florence Obi highlighted the completion of the 10-megawatt solar power facility as a testament to the University of Calabar’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

She stated, “government is a continuum and in that regard it would interest you to know that the solar power project is almost completed and will commence supply if not this December, then January next year.

“This solar project is a game-changer. It not only solves the pressing issue of power reliability but also aligns with our vision for a greener, more sustainable campus,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.

“The 10 megawatts power generating plant will also serve the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, which is the primary off-taker, guaranteeing reliable electricity for critical healthcare services while also benefiting our university community,” she disclosed.

During the anniversary event, the Vice Chancellor further highlighted other milestones such as infrastructure development, noting “there are no more abandoned projects in the university of Calabar. All the abandoned projects except one, which is in contention with security operatives, have been completed.”

She also disclosed that for the first time in years, academic and non-academic staff and students have attracted research grants worth more than ₦4 billion to the institution, which she noted was a far cry from the approach towards accessing grants for research.

She commended her management team for the efforts geared towards conducting findable research, which has further consolidated the image of the institution as a formidable university.

Transformative leadership

In his address, the Pro-chancellor and chairman of the university governing council, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udom Ekpo Udom commended Professor Obi for the doggedness and transformative approach to leadership that has resulted to a plethora of achievements within four years.

Udom said, “I commend the Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi for the achievements made within four years. I also commend her stance for placing academic excellence, staff and students welfare as her priority. To develop the much needed infrastructure by completing abandoned projects and executing news ones is worthy of commendation.

“The governing council is particularly happy to work with her and her management team to steer our great citadel of learning to enviable heights. There is still much to be done, but it is a good thing that so far we have seen wonderful outcomes,” he said.

The fourth anniversary, which featured a colloquium, presentation of good will messages, ended with presentation of awards and medals to outstanding university scholars, who scored above 4.0 CGPA in their different departments.

Oluchi Okwuego