Niger Delta

22 Bag First Class In UNICAL

Published

9 years ago

March 15, 2017

Twenty Two out of 13,347 graduands of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) billed for convocation next Saturday have bagged first class degrees.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Zana Akpagu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen last Thursday on the 30th convocation ceremony of the institution scheduled to hold on the 11th of March.
Akpagu said 11,910 out of the 13,347 were first degree holders while 1,437 were in the post graduate category adding that 22 bagged first class,2,408 came out with first class upper 5, 980 others Second Class lower while 2900 others came out with a Third Class with the remaining 1000 had pass.
According to him: ” In the last one year we have put a mechanism in place to clear the backlog of students and that is the reason we have the huge number of them graduating at this time because we do not intend to keep anybody for any reason.”
According to him, the university had embarked on 37 projects including construction of hostels, office complex, classrooms, lecture pavilion, lawn tennis court and so on, adding that many of them have been 100 percent completed while some of them are near completion
He also disclosed that there will be a ground breaking ceremony for an ultra modern medical centre which he described as the legacy project of his administration.
“We feel it is an embarrassment for an institution of this magnitude to continue to use a facility that was built since 1978 at this age. We shall finance it from our meager internally generated revenue which currently stands at 1.2billion naira,” he stated.
He, however, bemoaned a situation where the university has to spend over 500 million for energy generation when only a paltry sum of 39 million naira was budgeted for it.
The Vice Chancellor said: “we just have 39 million naira for the whole year in the budget while we are giving a whooping sum of 18 million naira as monthly bill by Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) .A truck load of Diesel cost over 10 million naira and we use three trucks every month when you calculate what we spend on energy you will discover its well above 500 million naira annually,” he decried.
Our Correspondent learnt that those to be awarded with Honorary degree include Alhaji Umaru Kwabo (Jamar Sokoto), Sir Daniel Chukwudozie (Dozie Oil) and Brig-Gen Anthony Ukpo (Rtd.) a former Military Administrator of Rivers State, while the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saadu Abubakar III, are among dignitaries expected to grace the occasion.

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Niger Delta

Otu Recommits To Support For Navy

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has said his administration will continue to collaborate with the navy for effective protection of the waterways.

Otu stated this when the Commandant, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, Commodore Shuaib Ahmed, visited him in Calabar.

The Governor described the visit as critical to consolidating the partnership between Cross River State and the navy.

“Peace and stability remain non-negotiable prerequisites for the progress of the state.

“So, this visit reaffirms our shared resolve to keep the state safe and secured through sustained collaboration,” he said.

Otu stated that security remained the foundation for meaningful development in every society.

“No society prospers in the midst of insecurity. As a state, our development vision depends on peace, order and collective vigilance,” he said.

The Governor commended the Navy for the level of professionalism being exuded by its personnel in the discharge of their duties.

He said the Navy’s efforts had hugely boosted investor confidence and strengthened the state’s economic environment.

The Governor assured the Navy of the state government’s continued support towards enhanced operation.

Earlier, Ahmed explained that the visit followed the military tradition of familiarizing with authorities upon assumption of duties.

He stated that it was crucial to align naval operations with the strategic priorities of the state government.

The naval chief thanked the state government for its support to the force, saying, “your support has helped us immensely in achieving targets”

The Commandant further said there was need to strengthen infrastructure and communication systems in order to address evolving security challenges.

“Operationalising key naval facilities will improve our capacity to tackle maritime crimes.

“The Navy is committed to supporting the state in ensuring the safety and security of the waterways.

“We shall continue to promote peace while enabling the residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear,” he said.

Niger Delta

Community Praises Diri, Ogbuku On Projects Execution … Prioritises Security, Dev

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

The Agbura Community of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has again lauded the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and the Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, over infrastructure projects executed in the community.

Speaking with newsmen midweek in Yenagoa, its Chairman, Community Development Committee, Mr. Tribunal Egba, hailed the Governor for the successful completion of the abandoned Oxbow lake-Agbura Road project and others within the Community.

He also eulogized the NDDC MD for the construction of new lodge in the community for serving Corps members as well as plans to execute other projects.

Mr. Egba added that the completion of the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road has given the community facelift, while also pleading with the government and the interventionist agency to award shore protection contract in the community to save it from the perennial floodings experienced in the fast urbanizing town.

Similarly, the community’s leadership has given assurances that it will continue to give priority to development and security of lives and property.

The CDC helmsman promised to strengthen the existing community vigilante group, while also stressing that the age-long synergy between the community and security agencies would be improved upon to get rid of crime and criminalities in the area.

“As a community, we’re so thankful to Governor Diri for constructing the abandoned Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road project. We’re also glad with the level of infrastructural development ongoing in other parts of the state, courtesy of the Diri-led administration.

“We also like to laud the MD/CEO, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for the construction of a befitting Corpers lodge for Corps members serving in this community.

“Our priority as a community now is to protect these infrastructure projects. We’ll continue to work in synergy with all security agencies to make sure there’s peace and development”, the CDC leadership said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Delta Shocked Over Death Of Chief Protocol Officer

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Delta State Government has expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Sunny Kotor, Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to the State Government.

Kotor, a renowned Master of Ceremony at state functions, reportedly slumped and passed away last Friday.

In a statement signed by the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, in Warri on Saturday, his passing was described as “a profound loss; not only to his family, but to the Government and people of Delta State who benefited immensely from his professionalism, composure, and unmistakable presence at official engagements.

“He brought dignity, structure, and excellence to every function he handled, leaving behind a standard that will be difficult to forget,” the statement added.

The Commissioner noted that “every passing is indeed a sobering reminder of how fragile and fleeting life can be,” extending heartfelt condolences to Kotor’s family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working with him.

The statement prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.