The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, has commended the Senate and management of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) on the choice of Professor Florence Obi as the new Vice Chancellor of the university.
The choice of the female academic don for the number one job of the university according to Omo-Agege in a statement issued in Abuja Monday, attests to the excellence of womenfolk in higher institutions.
Last week, Professor Obi of the Faculty of Education broke a 45 year-old jinx by emerging the first female Vice-Chancellor-elect of the University of Calabar, Cross River state, beating 12 other candidates.
She will take over from Professor Zana Akpagu, whose tenure ends on November 30, 2020.
Omo-Agege, who chairs the Senate Adhoc Committee on Constitution Review, described Obi as “an astute educational icon” even as he applauded the institution for its non-gender biased meritocracy.
He urged her to build on the achievements of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Akpagu.
The federal lawmaker prayed for the success of her tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
“In spite of considerable challenges, Nigerian women have continued to demonstrate capacity and competence in various roles and it is no mere conjecture that if given the chance, capable women from the South-south zone and other parts of Nigeria can offer good leadership.
“While congratulating the VC-elect and wishing her a successful tenure in office, I particularly commend the institution for its non gender-based meritocracy,” he stated.
