The alumni of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Faculty of Law, Class of 1994, have donated computers and cash to facilitate research and improve academic performance. .
The alumni made the presentation during a visit to the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Michael Ibanga.
The items included three internet-enabled computers preloaded with law research software and an annual cash prize of N500,000 for the best graduating student for the next three years.
The chairman of the class, Mr Nkanu Eremi, stated that the intervention aimed to equip the students with modern research tools and reward excellence.
“While the computers will aid research, the prize will spur students to be competitive and bring out the best in them,” Eremi said.
“It is homecoming and an opportunity to give back to the faculty that groomed us. We want the Faculty of Law to be on the global map, and we believe we are planting the seeds for that,” he said.
Eremi called on other graduating sets to support the faculty and appealed to theuniversity management to improve the learning environment by landscaping, creating sit-out areas for students and clearing surrounding bushes that pose a threat to staff and students.
Pioneer Chairman of the class and Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo, Mr Obo Effanga, said the ’94 set had previously intervened in the faculty. “We repainted the lecture halls, provided ceiling fans, and renovated the toilets, including one that is disability-friendly,” Effanga said.
Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, a member of the class and Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, also donated copies of his book, Medical Law and Ethics_, and his inaugural lecture titled “Restoring the Dignity of Patients” to the faculty library. He expressed concern over admission controversies at UNICAL and urged students to stay focused. “The future may look difficult, but it will certainly be promising,” Abugu said.
Member of the University Governing Council, Prof. Jacob Dada, commended the alums for their support. “It is gratifying that you deemed it necessary to return to your alma mater not because you have all the money in the world, but because you care to know how we are faring and to help,” Dada said.
Responding, Dean Prof. Ibanga thanked the alumni and said the donation came at the right time, as the faculty’s request for computers from the Vice Chancellor’s office was still pending.
On admission issues, he blamed past officials and assured that the reintroduction of the Central Admissions Committee would check over-admission.
