UNICAL bans ‘water ritual’ practice during matriculation, convocation

The management of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has ordered the cessation of the practice of “water ritual’’ in the school, describing it as unwholesome and not academic.

In the “water ritual’’, students pour water sporadically on matriculating and graduating students as a supposed “initiation rite” in celebration.

On such occasions, unsuspecting individuals graduating or matriculating could be cornered off and drenched.

NAN reports that Gabriel Egbe, the varsity’s registrar, stated on Friday that Florence Obi, the vice-chancellor, ordered a discontinuation of the practice.

Egbe quoted the VC as saying the practice was no longer acceptable but instead constituted rights abuses.

“The vice-chancellor has directed that the practice be discontinued against the backdrop of a viral video in which a female student was subjected to indignity at the last matriculation,” the registrar said.

“In the video clip, a group of young men indulged in inhumane and barbaric action.

“Besides the official discontinuance of the unacceptable act, a committee has been set put to investigate the ugly act meted on the female student and those found culpable will be sanctioned appropriately

“The acting chief security officer, retired Capt. Austin Bisong, and other relevant officers in the university have been tasked to ensure that the ugly episode never occurs again.”