UNICAL without central library for two years – VC

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi, has appealed to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to come to the aid of the university by building a befitting library and a standard senate building.

Obi made the appeal on Friday in Calabar during the 35th convocation of the University of Calabar held for the award of first and master’s degrees, diplomas and postgraduate diplomas.

She also called on the Niger Delta Development Commission to assist the university with infrastructure.

“Much as we do our best to create the conditions for the university we desire within the context of our realities, we have to let you know that the institution is hamstrung largely by the paucity of funds and many other problems.

“Most topical in the demands of the university is the provision of electricity which gulps a greater part of our internally generated revenue, leaving us struggling to meet other important needs.

“We are also in need of a standard senate building that befits a second-generation university of our standing.

“The university has for the past two years been without a central library due to a major structural defect which led to it being cordoned off following the advice of professionals in the building industry.

“We appeal for a special intervention from TETFUND to urgently come to our aid as there is no university without a functional library,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted her as saying.

She further lamented that the university, with a population of over 36,000 students, had only 2,400 bed spaces for the accommodation of students, which accounted for less than five per cent against the National Universities Commission’s recommendation of 30 per cent.

She, however, noted that the university was ready to cooperate with individuals or corporate bodies to achieve its objectives.

Also speaking, the Emir of Kano and Chancellor of the university, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, urged the graduates to make the best choice of the path they have chosen to follow.

On his path, the Pro-Chancellor, Gen Martin Luther-Agwai (retd.), said that the university was still grappling with inadequate facilities and funding.

Luther-Agwai said that there was a need for the university to continue to institutionalise its relevance and civic engagement beyond the convocation to a more meaningful contribution to national development.