…Says he will attend 50th Anniversary of UNICAL

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA – The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, while reflecting on his time as a student at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), shared that he never had the privilege of staying on the main campus, where there was constant electricity. Instead, he chose to stay in Malabo, battling the mosquitoes.

Speaking in Abuja during a courtesy visit from UNICAL’s management and alumni, who invited him to the university’s 50th anniversary, Akpabio, an alumnus of UNICAL, said he would attend the anniversary celebrations scheduled for March 17th to 22nd, 2025.

Akpabio described the university’s 50th anniversary as a significant milestone and expressed his excitement to be part of it. He emphasized the importance of supporting the university and vowed to assist with the event’s activities where possible.

“As Speaker of the Student Parliament, I fought for the interests of the students. I never had the luxury of staying on the main campus with constant electricity. Instead, I chose Malabo, with all the mosquitoes,” Akpabio recalled.

“It’s a joy to be alive to see the University at 50, and it’s a great honor to be invited to join you for this occasion. This visit will lead to an uncommon transformation of the university beyond 50.”

Earlier, Professor Florence Banku Obi, the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, led the delegation and presented their mission to invite Akpabio to the historic event. She announced that he had been designated as an Ambassador for UNICAL at 50, citing his significant contributions to the university during his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Professor Obi added, “We have come here today to show the world that we have come of age as a second-generation university in Nigeria.”