UNICAL Dean Hails Prof. Florence Obi for Transforming Engineering Faculty

…. as Vice-Chancellor Praises Staff’s Innovation

The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Calabar, Engr. Prof. Odey A. Osha, has applauded the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, for what he described as a transformative and historic leadership that repositioned the Faculty and elevated its academic standing.

Prof. Odey Osha stated this during the Vice-Chancellor’s valedictory visit to the Faculty, describing the occasion as a moment of gratitude, reflection, and celebration of unprecedented progress.

Prof. Osha noted that when Prof. Obi assumed office, she charted a clear course for excellence built on efficiency, academic rigour, and a safe and conducive environment. 

According to him, her unwavering commitment led to revolutionary improvements in academic processes, including the results-processing system, which moved the Faculty from a period of uncertainty to one of stability, credibility, and timely student graduation.

He further highlighted that the Faculty’s engineering programmes, once facing accreditation challenges, achieved full accreditation under her tenure, an accomplishment he attributed to her steadfast support, critical interventions, and investment in infrastructure.

The Dean added that the construction of the Twin Lecture Pavilion and the ongoing Engineering Complex, as well as improved laboratories and administrative facilities, all stand as monuments to her visionary leadership.

“Madam Vice-Chancellor, your impact is etched in the very foundation of this Faculty. You came, you saw, and you truly conquered the University of Calabar,” the Dean declared.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Florence Obi described the staff of the Faculty of Engineering as creative, cerebral, innovative, vibrant, focused, and dynamic personalities who consistently rose above challenges and cooperated with her administration to reposition the Faculty.

Prof. Obi lauded them for their exceptional work ethic, noting that the institution would not have achieved its milestones without their efforts in lecturing, computing results, and mobilizing students for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

According to her, Engineering staff worked “like robots “ tirelessly, diligently, and with uncommon dedication, while her task was simply to encourage, motivate, and ensure a conducive environment for institutional development.

She described the Faculty as home to “silent and quiet achievers” who contributed significantly to the success of her administration, naming the Dean of the faculty as one of the most outstanding among them.

Prof. Obi added that the Engineering valedictory visit was “peculiar and unique,” praising the Faculty for an innovative, creative, and heartwarming reception that reflected their identity as problem-solvers and inventors.

She however, urged them to extend the same cooperation to the incoming administration to sustain UNICAL’s upward trajectory.