After a successful tenure, members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have held a thanksgiving. IKECHUKWU OFILI (300-Level Public Administration) and FRANK EJEAGBASI (400-Level Medical Physiology) report.
After a successful tenure, outgoing members of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Students’ Union Government (SUG) were at St Paul Catholic Church last Sunday for a thanksgiving.
They danced and rejoiced to the music of the choir. The union members were led by their president Bassey Ekaani and Publicity Team leader Augustine Akah.
It was also an opportunity to appreciate God for the feat of the publicity team in Ghana, where members came second in a debate. Augustine led a team of debaters to the Islamic University College in East region of Ghana.
There were seven preliminary stages in the contest. The UNICAL team got to the quarter final with 16 points. More than 205 debaters from 15 higher institutions in seven countries participated in the debate with the topic: Taxation in Africa is a theft.
The teams that reached the final were Kwame Nkrumah University, UNICAL, University of Ghana in Legon and Imo State University (IMSU).
The Kwame Nkrumah University came first with 15 points; UNICAL was second with 12 points. The UICAL also won Best Performing Institution and its team leader, Augustine, emerged the Best Adjudicator and third Best Speaker.
In his homily at the thanksgiving, the Assistant Parish Priest, Reverend Father Francis Offiong, urged the students to always promote the school’s image and be its worthy ambassadors.
He advised them to put God first in anything they do.
Another clergy, Reverend Father Emmanuel Duke, said for one to attain the kingdom of God, one must be prepared to dispose all worldly possessions.
Duke noted that there was nothing wrong in acquiring material wealth, saying it was God’s blessing on earth but “we should make sure we have the kingdom of heaven as well and ensure our quest for materialism does not come between us and the kingdom ”.
The thanksgiving procession was led by Augustine, and Editor of the SUG Information Bureau Stanley Uchegbu.
Speaking on his achievements, Augustine said he introduced and published The Voice of Malabor, the SUG magazine that would be sustained by the incoming executive. The magazine, according to him, is adjudged the best students’ newspaper since in the history of the institution.
“During my tenure, I organised an interactive meeting with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) officials and the students during the last strike to avail students of information about the true position of lecturers,” he said.
“We started with very little resources but our tenacity was the only capital we have to keep the magazine afloat,” Stanley, Editor of the magazine said.
“It got to a point it appeared production was affecting my studies because I devoted my time, running from one office to another to ensure my team interviewed all the principal officers including the Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke.
“But today, we are in church to thank God for making our dream a reality, despite turbulence and production hitches that came along the line; we were able to surmount all odds and achieve success. God deserved to be praised for this,” he added.
Stanley praised everyone who supported the vision of the magazine, especially the university principal officers, who, he said, granted his team an audience despite their busy engagements. He hailed students for their support towards the success of the magazine.
Joseph Ochang, a member of the editorial team, described the magazine as informative, especially for the freshers who have just been absorbed into the system.
“If any fresh student thoroughly glances through the magazine, he would be informed about the activities of the university,” he said.
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