President Tinubu Inaugurates 6 Projects At UNICAL

President Tinubu inaugurates 6 projects at UNICAL. President Bola Tinubu on Saturday inaugurated six projects at the University of Calabar (UniCal), marking the institution’s 37th convocation and 50th anniversary celebrations.

Represented by Abdullahi Ribadu, the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, Mr Tinubu urged prudent fund management to develop additional infrastructure in Nigerian universities.

“Six projects have been inaugurated today; some were abandoned for over ten years, while others were completed within seven months,” the president said at the event, which began on Monday, March 17.

The projects include Prof Emmanuel Ayandele Hall of Fame, Florence Obi Complex for Education, Engineering Workshops, and the Faculty of Pharmacy Administrative Block.

Tinubu Inaugurates 6 Projects At UNICAL

Also inaugurated were the Pharmaceutical and Medical Chemistry Department Block and a campus Fire Station equipped with a fire truck.

Commending the vice-chancellor, Mr Tinubu praised her team’s efforts, stating Tetfund grants would be available in 2025 and expressing hope for more infrastructure at UNICAL.

The vice-chancellor, Florence Obi, explained that her administration completed some abandoned projects, detailing the challenges faced and solutions employed during their execution.

She stated the Hall of Fame Building cost approximately ₦826 million, funded through the merged 2023/2024 Tetfund intervention alongside the faculty.

Akpabio, Dep Speaker Kalu, Others Celebrates UniCal 50th Anniversary

Akpabio, Dep Speaker Kalu, others celebrates UniCal 50th Anniversary. It was indeed a moment of deep reflection and immense pride to return to my alma mater, the great University of Calabar, for its 50th Anniversary and 37th Convocation Lecture, alongside 70 of my esteemed coursemates—the Class of 1998, The Golden Ones.

Also in attendance at this great event was the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON a proud alumnus of this institution, Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, my dear colleagues from the National Assembly alongside other eminent men and women.

I had the distinct honour of delivering the convocation lecture at this epoch-making event, titled “Our Gown in Town and in Cyberspace: Sustainable and Human-Centered Education, The Mandate of Our Universities, 2025-2075.”

In my address, I highlighted the urgent need to align education with innovation, real-world application, and national development.
I also emphasized the necessity for our universities to move beyond theory and drive tangible, real-world impact.

Education is not merely about acquiring knowledge; it is about applying it to shape the future. If our universities fail to adapt, we risk producing graduates unprepared for the world they will inherit.

I extend my sincere gratitude to my esteemed classmates who found it worthy to join me in this historic moment. Their constant support, love, and prayers have been deeply felt and appreciated.

The path forward is clear: education must be the engine of national transformation, innovation must serve society, and progress must uplift all. This is our generational mandate, to build a future where education is not just a ladder for individual success but the foundation for national prosperity.

Akpabio, Dep Speaker Kalu

I call on policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs, and alumni to rise to the challenge. Let us not wait for the future; let us summon it with bold action.

Expand industry partnerships, fund research that addresses Nigeria’s greatest challenges, and bridge the divide. Above all, let us never lose sight of the people behind the progress.

Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

Government Approves NYSC Mobilisation For Full-Time HND Graduates

Government approves NYSC mobilisation for full-time HND graduates. This development, he said, marked a major breakthrough for full-time HND graduates.

The minister of education, Tunji Alausa, has announced that all full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates will now be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The resolution of the long-standing issue regarding their mobilisation is contained in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday by the director of press and public relations in the ministry, Folasade Boriowo.

Ms Boriowo quoted Alausa as saying that after discussions with the director-general of NYSC, only full-time HND graduates were eligible and could thereafter proceed with their mobilisation.

This development, he said, marked a major breakthrough for full-time HND graduates who were previously excluded from the NYSC programme.

According to him, it underscores the federal ministry of education’s commitment to equity, fairness, and inclusivity in the nation’s education system.

“However, those who did HND part-time are not eligible for mobilisation at all.

“To facilitate a seamless mobilisation process, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been directed to expedite the collation of data for eligible HND graduates.

“In line with this, a circular has been sent to all Rectors of Polytechnics, instructing them to upload the necessary graduate data onto the newly created HND admission portal,” he said.

Mr Alausa emphasised that NYSC mobilisation was strictly for those who completed a full-time HND programme.

He stressed that only full-time HND graduates would be mobilised, while those who did HND part-time remained ineligible.

Government Approves NYSC Mobilisation

He further disclosed that the newly created portal would ensure proper documentation of full-time HND graduates.

He added that this would also serve as the official database for NYSC mobilisation, addressing past challenges related to admission records.

The minister urged all eligible full-time HND graduates to take full advantage of this opportunity and proceed with their mobilisation without delay.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering equal opportunities for all qualified Nigerian graduates and ensuring their contributions to national development through the NYSC scheme.