University Of Calabar Appoints Professor Florence Obi As First Female Vice-Chancellor

The University of Calabar has appointed its first female vice-chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, breaking a 45-year jinx.

Professor Obi of the Faculty of Education emerged on top after a rigorous screening exercise involving 12 other candidates.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, UNICAL, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, who announced the emergence of Florence Obi on Friday, congratulated her for emerging as the first female vice-chancellor of the 45-year-old institution.

Nwaogu described Obi as “an astute educational icon” and prayed for the success of her tenure as vice-chancellor of UNICAL.

“You can see the tranquility in this governing council. What we assured the university community is that we were going to be transparent, open, fair, and just.

Speaking on her win, Obi said she was elated and happy.

She promised to run an inclusive administration, adding, “I’m happy and return all the glory to God. I have just received my appointment letter from the 12th Council as vice chancellor-elect. The process was free and fair, and I promise to run an inclusive administration.”

Obi, before emerging as a VC, was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) of Academics. She was also a member of the University Governing Council, where she used her wealth of experience in the growth and development of the university.

She served as the commissioner of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and a member of the Cross River State Executive Council in 2007.

Obi will take over from Professor Zana Akpagu, whose tenure ends on November 30, 2020.

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