Ernest Chinwo
8 July 2008
Calabar — A 1984 graduate of Accounting in the Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Calabar (UNICAL), Mr. Lawrence Isung has instituted an annual award for the best graduating Accounting student of University.
To ensure the immediate take-off of the award, Isung last Friday presented a cheque of N500, 000 to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bassey Asuquo.
He said the award was to encourage students of the department to work hard and not depend on 'sorting' to pass their examinations. "It is expected that this amount would be managed as sinking fund in perpetuity to generate the required annual award of N50, 000 for the best graduating Accounting student each year", he said, adding, "The objective of this award is to stimulate positive academic competition among the Accounting students of the university. The essence is to give the award to those who earn it through hard work and not through the other way round as we know it in Nigeria ."
Isung expressed regret that many graduates of Nigerian universities are not employable because they were not serious with their studies and depended largely on sorting to pass their examinations. He said he was motivated to institute the award because he was also a beneficiary of a similar award and also because of the desire to leave a legacy in the university that prepared him for the challenges of the society.
National President of the UNICAL Alumni Association, Mr. Kennedy Dike who led Isung to the Vice-Chancellor said members of the Association were poised to make positive contributions to the university. "I use this medium to invite other members of the Alumni Association to come home and think of how they can partner with the school to improve the quality of learning and infrastructural development in the university", he said
Receiving the donation, the Vice chancellor, Prof. Bassey Asuquo said he was challenged by the gesture and called on other graduates of the institution to contribute to its development.
While thanking the Alumni Association for their interest in the development of the university, Asuquo said UNICAL was taking the issue of 'sorting' seriously and would not hesitate to discipline any lecturer or student involved caught engaging in it.
He also disclosed that the university has stopped the issuance of Statement of Results due to forgery. To check this, he said, certificates are now issued on graduation day.
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