Sixty-six students will receive First Class honours at the University of Calabar’s (Unical) 37th convocation ceremony for the 2024/2025 academic session, scheduled to take place from 17 to 23 March 2025.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Florence Obi, speaking to journalists on Monday, said a total of 13,610 students are expected to participate in the ceremony at the Abraham Ordia Stadium on Friday, 21 March 2025.
The breakdown of graduates includes 181 diploma recipients, 11,725 bachelor’s degrees, 876 master’s degrees, 572 doctoral degrees, 249 postgraduate diplomas, and seven postdoctoral diplomas in education. Of the graduating students, 66 will be awarded First Class honours, 3,054 will receive Second Class Upper Division, 7,450 will earn Second Class Lower Division, 925 will graduate with Third Class, and seven will receive a Pass.
Professor Obi emphasised that only students deemed worthy in character and learning will be awarded degrees. She also revealed that the event would feature the commissioning of several projects completed during her tenure, including the Unical Hall of Fame and Multipurpose Auditorium, the College of Education Complex, the Fire Service Station with a fire-fighting truck, the Pharmacritual and Medical Pharmacy building, and the Faculty of Pharmacy Administrative building.
Additionally, the ceremony will witness the awarding of postgraduate diplomas, master’s and doctoral degrees, the investiture of Emeritus Professors, and the induction of new members into the Unical Alumni Association.
Six prominent Nigerians will also receive honorary doctorate degrees (Honoris Causa) in recognition of their significant contributions to society. Those to be honoured include the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who will receive a Doctor of Political Science; Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, who will also receive a Doctor of Political Science; Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaete Uloma Godswill Akpabio, who will receive a Doctor of Education and National Guidance; Major General (rtd) Moses Bisong Obi, who will receive a Doctor of Peace and Conflict Studies; Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, who will receive a Doctor of Laws; and Prince Arthur Eze, who will receive a Doctor of Business Management.
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The ceremony, which coincides with Unical’s 50th anniversary, will also feature the investiture of three distinguished professors as Emeritus Professors in recognition of their outstanding contributions to academia and the university.
The programme will conclude with a Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul Catholic Church Parish, University of Calabar, on Sunday, 23 March 2025, at 9 a.m. Professor Obi assured that adequate arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth and secure event, including traffic control and commuter movement.
She expressed confidence that the convocation ceremony would proceed without any issues.
