Former Education Commissioner Offiong Declares for UNICAL VCship, Pledges Industry-Led Scholarship

By Missang AKPET 

A former commissioner of Education in Cross River State Prof. Offiong E Offiong has formally declared his intention to vie for the position of Vice Chancellorship (VC) of the University of Calabar (UNICAL). 

Offiong, a Professor of Inorganic/Coordination Chemistry and former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Calabar branch has a rich academic and administrative background with over 70 research articles and publications in peer-reviewed journals cited in high-impact databases.

In his over 35 years in the academia, the university don has  served the University of Calabar in various capacities, including Sub-Dean and Dean of the Faculty of Science, Dean of Students' Affairs, and Member of the Governing Council from 2000 to 2004.

Declaring his intention yesterday in Calabar, the Professor of inorganic chemistry promised to bridge the gap scholarship and industry in a bid to enhance the university's reputation and produce graduates who are better equipped to meet the needs of the industry.

He described the University of Calabar as an institution that has the potential to compete with most top class universities while pledging to take it to enviable heights if elected VC.

Though they have been rumors of other aspirants eyeing the coveted VCship seat, Professor Offiong becomes the first to officially declare his intent to run for the office.