Florence Obi becomes UNICAL’s first female VC in 45 years

Florence Obi, a professor and lecturer of the faculty of education, has emerged the first female vice-chancellor-elect of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) in Cross River state.

She clinched the much coveted position on Thursday after a thorough screening exercise involving 12 other candidates.

Nkechi Nwaogu, the varsity’s pro-chancellor and chairman governing council, who announced Obi’s victory on Friday, commended her for emerging the first female to attain the position in the 45 years of the institution’s existence.

“At the end of the day, we had a brand new first female VC of the University in the last 45 years. The interview was transparent and some of the contestants are part of our council,” she said.

“What I expect of her is to look at what the outgoing VC has done because governance is a continues process. She should invite all those who contested with her and build teamwork.

“No one person can execute the programmes without the integration of other erudite administrators that presented their CVs yesterday.

“She should be an integrative agent and I expect her to look inward on the areas of internally generated revenue and pluck the areas.”

Speaking on her victory, the professor expressed gratitude to God while also promising to run an inclusive administration.

“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,” she said.

Obi, who served as the commissioner, ministry of women affairs, and social development and member of the Cross River state executive council in 2007, is expected to take over from Zana Akpagu, whose tenure ends on November 30, 2020.