President Bola Tinubu inaugurated six significant projects at the University of Calabar (UniCal) on Saturday, coinciding with the institution’s 37th convocation and its 50th anniversary celebrations.
Represented by Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Tinubu emphasized the importance of prudent fund management to foster the development of additional infrastructure within Nigerian universities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the week-long convocation activities, which commenced on Monday, March 17, included a lecture, awards, and a research fair, showcasing the institution’s dedication to academic excellence.
“Today, we have inaugurated six projects; some of these had been abandoned for over ten years, while others were successfully completed within seven months,” the President remarked.
The inaugurated projects feature the Prof Emmanuel Ayandele Hall of Fame, the Florence Obi Complex for Education, Engineering Workshops, and the Faculty of Pharmacy Administrative Block.
Additionally, the Pharmaceutical and Medical Chemistry Department Block and a fully equipped campus Fire Station, including a fire truck, were also inaugurated.
In his commendation of the Vice Chancellor, Tinubu praised her team’s unwavering efforts. She announced that Tetfund grants would be available in 2025 and expressed optimism for further infrastructure development at UniCal.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi, elaborated that her administration has successfully completed some abandoned projects, sharing insights on the challenges encountered and the effective solutions implemented during their execution.
She revealed that the Hall of Fame Building incurred an approximate cost of ₦826 million, funded through the merged 2023/2024 Tetfund intervention alongside the Faculty.
NAN further reports that this inauguration precedes the grand finale of the convocation, which will feature doctoral awards being conferred to graduands and appearances by distinguished guests.
