Unical VC orders refund of monies extorted from students
Emmanuel Alfred
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Florence Obi ordered the refund of monies extorted by lecturers to students.
Recall that Obi had admonished lecturers not to collect money from students for whatever reasons as the economic situation in the country is also affecting the students.
The VC who specifically pointed out lecturers of PHY 101, stated this December 1, 2022, during a Town Hall Meeting held to make her 2nd anniversary in office.
However, in her recent action after a report from SERVICOM, Obi said: “There is a central approved charge by the University Senate. I know times are hard, we’ve been owed for 8 months but the students are not the ones owing us. We should rather face the people who are owing us and not the students. The authority must be respected as we will never accept any short practice within the University.
“I commend those of you who had the courage to speak up, and I enjoin other students to join suit. Feel free to report any corrupt practice to me as you all have my contact and support”.
On his part, UNICAL SERVICOM Director, Prof. Patrick Egaga, said: “one of the policies of this Administration is zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices. There’s no acceptance of misconduct, malfeasance or disorderly behaviour from, or especially staff or students.
“We are refunding monies that were unlawfully and unscrupulously extorted from students by Lecturers. By the mandate of SERVICOM to ensure people including students are served right, we took it upon ourselves; investigations were carried out and varying sums of monies were recovered.
“As the exercise has been flagged off by the Vice-Chancellor and with the support of the Chief Security Officer (CSO), students who have travelled and whose names are written down will definitely get their funds from the office of the Chief Security without any challenge.
“The Vice-Chancellor and her Team have given so much courage to the students to speak up on anything inimical to their progress on campus. It is not only the collection of money but all other sharp practices that are not condoned in the system perpetuated by staff to students or staff to staff should also be reported as investigation and other necessary actions will be taken. We are doing this with professionalism as identity, picture or anything personal to the victims are not given to the public”.
The students thanked Prof. Obi for ensuring that she keeps to her promises while encouraging others to be bold and courageous to confide in her when the need arises.
