The new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Offiong Effangha Offiong, has pledged to uphold academic excellence, enforce discipline, and put an end to admission racketeering and other fraudulent practices in the institution.
Professor Offiong made the pledge during his investiture as the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar in Cross River State, southern Nigeria, at the Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre, where he outlined his vision to reposition UNICAL as a centre of excellence in research, innovation, and quality education.
Offiong, who declared “it will not be business as usual” under his leadership, announced the immediate reactivation of the Central Admissions Committee to ensure strict compliance with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) regulations and warned that fraudulent National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation and extortion would no longer be tolerated.
He said:
“There will be zero tolerance for indiscipline, including admission racketeering and fraudulent NYSC mobilisation. The Central Admissions Committee will be reactivated immediately and will strictly adhere to JAMB admission protocols. No sacred cows. Those who test our resolve will receive the appropriate response.”
Describing the investiture as a historic moment, Prof. Offiong expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Governing Council, and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him, promising to lead with integrity, transparency, and a listening ear.
“I pledge to serve as a servant leader for the entire university community. We shall pursue excellence vigorously, fairly, firmly and fearlessly, guided by the values of truth, transparency, academic freedom and service,” he stated.
Professor Offiong also acknowledged the pressing challenges confronting the university, including staff accommodation, access to the teaching hospital, and issues affecting key departments and the demonstration school, assuring that the management would address them “with a human face” in the coming weeks.
The VC, who is a professor of chemistry, appealed to staff to recommit themselves to duty and warned that absenteeism would no longer be tolerated, saying:
“Honest labour will be rewarded. However, indolence will not be condoned. Staff who are absent from duty without official assignments must regularise their status or consider resignation.”
He further announced plans to expand the work-study programme, continue the VC scholarship scheme, and prioritise academic excellence, research, infrastructural development, and campus security.
Leadership is service
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Udom Ekpo Udom, described the investiture as “the end of one era and the beginning of another,” praising the peaceful selection process that produced Professor Offiong from about 25 contenders.
Dr Udom lauded the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, for what he described as a transformational tenure marked by notable achievements.
He reminded the new Vice-Chancellor that “leadership is service” and urged him to work closely with the Governing Council to address infrastructure deficits, academic development, institutional image, and welfare issues.
The event attracted government officials, alumni, traditional rulers, academics, and members of the university community from across the country.