MAKING OF UNICAL 11th VICE-CHANCELLOR – A DATE WITH HISTORY

Zebis Prince – Calabar

Over the cloud, there is a sign about the size of a hand with the glimpse of a generational history ready to be made in the University of Calabar as the exercise for the appointment of the 11th Vice Chancellor draws closer. The date “10th September, 2020” which is set to conclude this process that has run for several months will become as an insignia in the calendar of times as a woman for the first time is hinted to be occupying the Vice-Chancellor’s office of this Prestigious University.

Hope and anticipation from the quarters of contenders jostling for this job has find its way in the media space through quite a range of expressive campaign contents from their teeming supporters more than at any other time. Interests in this office made a leeway this time around to the public as the need mediating for a woman academician/administrator to be given the opportunity of becoming the Vice Chancellor surges all time high. It is on record that in the 45 years existence of the University of Calabar, all the ten Vice-Chancellors has always been a man prompting the clamoring on the pertinence of this academic institution getting a befitted and focused woman Vice-chancellor to rebound the true purpose the institution was established for. But as this task is walled in a bureaucratic process aptly restricting public interference, there has been sound argument and advocacy to the University Council asking for Prof Florence B. Obi to be considered imminently, the next Vice-Chancellor in view of her profound academic and administrative experience as erstwhile Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics of the University and again for her intimidating career profile having satisfied to term all the requirements necessary for this job and has conducted herself in the superlative ring of first-class Professors in Unical being thoroughly built with the charisma and training in technocracy to do the University of Calabar community proud when she assumes the rein of this office.

The choice of Prof Florence Obi is victory for gender fairness in a system that has hinged preferences for a barrage of male folks who have done their best in this academic environment. In the 21st century where women are leveling up in every aspect of our society as the men, it will amount to a primitive disservice to the female qualified contenders should another man be installed as the next Vice-Chancellor. The University Council panel must find courage to toe the rough path in choosing a woman who will head this institution as evidences in the reins of the last five male VCs shows the university has relapsed in the quality and standard of education it offers and turnovers. Council panel is urged to renege every attempt at further worsening the state of Unical and take a radical stance that will settle on a woman Vice Chancellor if the old order must be stopped along with their colossal failure. The University of Calabar needs a smart and courageous Woman who can go on her way to achieve set goals despite the odds. The institution needs a female Vice-Chancellor who can get rid of systemic decay and overhaul sub-standards in every facet of the school. A woman of rare bravery with the hunger to sit Unical among the league of best Universities in Nigeria and Africa is audaciously found in Prof Florence Obi. The choice of Prof Florence B. Obi as the next Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar will indicate a complete departure from the usual era of stooge-planting to a future where excellence is rewarded and meritocracy heralded.

To conclude this exercise, the public has been awash with a circular of seven member Professorial panel that will carry out the selection of the next Vice Chancellor. As patriotic members of this academic institution, we are praying the panel to prevail on every superfluous external influence or any such internal lording that will attempt to implant yet another ilk of the old order. The destiny of this University at the interim lies in the choice of the next Vice Chancellor hugely. It is a choice between going forward or standing still. It is a choice to either get a Vice Chancellor that will stimulate the gains of this academic setting and revamp its values for society or gamble another five years with someone who will repeat the path of the predecessors. This Panel of erudite professors should midwife an outcome that is rooted in gender justice, capacity, competence and experience and one Woman fits in it all, Prof Florence B. Obi.
We await the dawn of a new leave in Unical come September when the delayed paradigm will shift from all-time male Vice-Chancellors to an era of powerful and successful women Vice-Chancellors. A time when this University will start creating innovative values that will benefit the 21st century Cross River State, Nigeria and Africa. A time when the shades of secrecy undermining the greatness of the University of Calabar will be open. A time where learning is enhanced and aptitude encouraged. A time when this citadel of learning will again turn-in graduates that will make the University of Calabar proud because a mother Vice-Chancellor would have given her suiting care to the gasping academic system left motionless by the those who didn’t care.