Prof Offiong Takes Oath as UNICAL’s 12th VC, Pledges Integrity, Reform
By Benjamin GBOR
Professor of Organic Chemistry, Offiong Efanga Offiong, on Monday officially assumed office as the 12th Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, promising a tenure defined by integrity, transparency and decisive leadership.
The investiture ceremony, held at the Godswill Akpabio Conference Centre on campus, was attended by government officials, traditional leaders, academics, business leaders, and university administrators.
Offiong takes over from the institution’s first female Vice Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi, who successfully completed her five-year tenure.
Speaking at the event, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 14th Governing Council, former Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Udom Ekpoudom (rtd), said many had doubted the possibility of appointing a substantive Vice Chancellor at this time, but “God made it possible.”
He noted that the council had recorded several key appointments as a result of the harmony maintained between the governing council and the university management.
In his inaugural address, Prof Offiong, who previously served as Commissioner for Education in Cross River State, promised to lead as a “servant leader,” emphasizing collective progress and a renewed ethical direction for the institution.
“I will be a servant leader for the entire University community. We are prepared to challenge conventions and, where necessary, take firm actions to realise our objectives,” he said.
He declared zero tolerance for indiscipline, including admission racketeering and fraudulent NYSC mobilisation, issues that have recently sparked public criticism.
“The narrative of UNICAL being in the news for bad reasons ends now,” he assured.
Prof Offiong also pledged to prioritise campus security, strengthen academic standards, and reposition the university as a centre of serious intellectual engagement.
He added that his administration will place strong emphasis on investing in education to enhance teaching, research and students’ welfare.
On the recurrent challenges with NYSC mobilisation, the new VC said: “Turbulent NYSC mobilisation—we will confront them.”
