People tend to be alarmed when the Management of the University of Calabar takes certain decisions. They don't think the decision makes sense and most times, many wonder if something has gone wrong with the thinking process at that highest level of the University.
I have heard multiple conversations, read many articles, short posts, and viewed many memes alike on social media overtly throwing shade at the university, its authority and particularly the current administration. While some have vehemently insisted that there is some form of witchcraft at work in the university's seat of power, others have in their wasteful efforts resorted to personal vendetta and name-calling the Vice Chancellor. While I believe that there is something supernatural about power and closeness to it, I don't subscribe to the former.
The University has indeed been on the news most recently and currently for multiple reasons: from the closing of multiple entrances to the institution to the NYSC saga and finally, the suspension galore which a lot of persons shared the stories on the go on social media platforms.
Deep emotions about the following issues were shared, which we understand. But, it is equal to a wasted effort for those who are caught in the mirage of the above issues to consider it nitty-gritty at least before holding any opinion. No one cares to consider the security implications of having multiple entrances to the University nor does anyone care to fact-check the burning issues necessitating NYSC withdrawing 101 corps members' certificates, nor still, if anyone has carefully considered the rules and regulations of the University of Calabar as contained in the students handbook of which they took oaths to abide with throughout their stays in the University.
Situations like what we are having today in the University give some insignificant individuals, too desperate to source true information the opportunity to lampoon their main target, the Vice Chancellor, and spread lies and stories that are obviously ill-intentioned.
Until yesterday noon, after many other students had been suspended as a result of the same act, a student who was wildly celebrating his graduation with a vehicle reported to be hired was involved in a ghastly auto-crash which is one of the core reasons why management banned such celebration within the campus after final exams. Naysayers have gone numb about this too.
It is a reality that everyone in Nigeria today wants a change, but I don't know how many people are ready to embrace the change they desire. Every succeeding government gets lambasted for not strengthening our institutions, but certainly, you'll be dumbstruck to see the same people protest against whoever takes the lead. This is the only crime of Prof. Florence Banku Obi.
Strengthening government institutions comes with a lot of face-outs with some powerful individuals and entities. It has to do with a full or near complete implementation of the laws/policy and that's exactly what the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar is doing today.
If it were in the Nigeria situation where the system is overhauled and every letter of the laws is implemented, majority of individuals going about freely today would've been behind bars just like in the case of UNICAL where defiance students have been suspended.
Comr. Onigah Joseph ✍️
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