The University of Cross River State now has a new governing Council in an effort to stabilise academic activities within its tertiary institution and achieve excellence,
The Governor of Cross River State in southern Nigeria, Senator Bassey Otu made the announcement for a new governing council and dissolution of the former through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Nsa Gill in Calabar, the state capital.
According to Gill, Governor Otu took the action as part of efforts to reposition it’s educational institutions in line with approved national and international standards as well as put an end to the myriads of challenges bedeviling the institution.
He stated, “Governor Otu approved the appointment of a Professor of Organic Chemistry and immediate past Director of Centre for Educational Services, University of Calabar, Professor Francisca Bassey as the new Acting Vice Chancellor of the university.”
“The Governor also appointed Dr. Fidelis Ugbo, a former Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s National Planning Commission, as the Pro-Chancellor of the university,” Gill also stated.
The Chief Press Secretary indicated that other persons appointed into the new governing council included; Mr. Francis Ettah and Professor Susan Etim amongst others.
He explained further that the essence of the appointments, which take immediate effect, is “to nip in the bud every threat to a peaceful academic session in the university.”
Gill also stated, “the state government Is committed to the welfare and well-being of staff and students as well as maintaining high standards in teaching and learning within the university. He expects the maximum cooperation from the new governing council to advance the institution.”
Team work
Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar has urged the acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey and the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Cross River State, Dr. Fidelis Ugbo to work together for success.
Ironbar, who gave the advice while congratulating the new leadership of the University of Cross River State, commended Governor Otu for his vision to steer tertiary education to the next level.
He stated, “we are confident that their leadership will foster academic excellence and drive meaningful contributions to the development of Cross River State and Nigeria. We believe that with their wealth of experience, the university’s leadership team would be strengthened.”
Speaking further he said, “we also hope that this team would work together to transforming the University of Cross River State into a beacon of progress and opportunity.”
Background
Until her appointment as the new acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, a Professor of Organic Chemistry, was of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry in the University of Calabar, Cross River State southern Nigeria.
She graduated in 1991 from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State and obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science (MSc) from the University of Calabar (UNICAL), while she bagged her Ph. D from the UNICAL in collaboration with the University of Georgia, USA.
She has held several offices such as Director, Centre for General Studies, UNICAL; Pioneer Director, Directorate of Pre-Degree Programmes and Director Centre for Educational Services.
She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Chemist of Nigeria, Institute of Food Technology, USA, Chemical Society of Nigeria, Nigeria Institute of Food Science Technology, Organisation for Women Scientists in Developing Countries and more.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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