Tag Archives: University of Calabar

Senator gives varsity students, others N70m

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The Senator representing the Cross River Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, John Owan-Enoh, has awarded scholarships valued at N70m to 700 university students and other beneficiaries, as part of his educational support programme.

The beneficiaries were drawn from the six local government areas in the senatorial district, namely Abi, Yakurr, Obubra, Etung, Ikom and Boki.

A breakdown of the categories in the 66 electoral wards showed that 60 postgraduate students got N100,000 each, while 660 undergraduates received N50,000 each.

Also, 1, 320 senior secondary school pupils received N15,000 each and 111 pupils in the junior category got N5,000 each, while  more than 1,000 candidates seeking admission into higher institutions were given N6,000 each.

Presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries in Ikom on Sunday, Owan-Enoh said that the gesture was aimed at assisting the beneficiaries in the pursuit of their academic careers.

He said that the programme was part of his responsibility and sacrifice to the people of the constituency, despite the economic recession.

Owan-Enoh said, “I am not doing this because I have so much money; but because of the love, sacrifice and a sense of responsibility to the people of my constituency.

“I am indebted to the people of the Central Senatorial District, who toiled with me and kept faith during the time of my campaigns.”

The senator said that each of the 66 wards had equal number of beneficiaries and advised the beneficiaries to make proper use of the opportunity.

Speaking on behalf of the local government areas, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, described Owan-Enoh as an excellent performer.

While commending the lawmaker for the gesture, she called on the beneficiaries to take advantage of the support to fulfil their dreams.

UNICAL Prof suspended over alleged rape of student

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The Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old 400-level student in his office was yesterday suspended by the panel instituted by the school’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivara Esu.

Professor Ndifon, who is the first professor of Law from Cross River State, was briefly arrested and detained by the police and later released on Wednesday before he was suspended yesterday evening by the panel set up to investigate him.

The professor was accused by mother of the victim, Mrs. Irene Akpan, in a letter sent to the university, alleging that the incident happened between 3 and 5pm on August 29 at the dean’s private office on the top floor of the faculty building.

According to the lady, Professor Ndifon forcibly had sex with her daughter after a fierce struggle. The school authorities confirmed receipt of complaints from the victim, while the police also affirmed it but was quick to add that the matter was undergoing thorough investigation.

Narrating her daughter’s ordeal, Mrs Akpan explained that the dean had set a one-hour test for the students on that Saturday, assigning two lecturers to carry out the supervision.

She alleged that 20 minutes to the end of allotted time, Ndifon entered the hall and ordered the students to stop writing.

She said while the students were preparing to submit their answer sheets, Ndifon approached her daughter, tore her answer sheet and left the shreds on the seat.

Mrs. Akpan said: “He walked straight to my daughter’s desk, collected the script and tore it. He left the torn script on her seat, so the girl collected the pieces and put them in her bag. According to her, you will still have to pass through the faculty before leaving the building.

“She said as they were leaving, the dean accosted her again and asked if she still had the shredded script, she said yes. He instructed her to follow him to the general dean’s office to recopy the answers on another plain sheet, which she did.”

“The unsuspecting girl followed him to the general office where two people were, including the dean’s secretary. The office of the dean is on the first floor of the building, according to my daughter.

“She said while writing in that office, the dean who had earlier gone out, came in again and instructed her to follow him to his private office on the second floor so that she could comfortably use the table.”

The victim’s mother said five minutes after getting to his private office, the dean locked the door, concealed the key and started making advances, adding that they struggled but Ndifon subdued her and had sex with the girl.

She said her daughter was later taken to Airport Police Station, along IBB Way in Calabar, where she gave statement and also had medical examinations at the police clinic.

The Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Effiong Eyo, said the institution was seriously looking into the matter.

“A panel has been set up to look into the matter. The authorities are looking seriously into it,” Eyo said.

Also, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hogan Bassey, said the command was investigating the case.

He said: “The case of rape or sexual assault requires discreet investigation and we have to handle it with care.”

 

-Vanguard