CALABAR, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Governing Council of the University of Calabar, on Friday announced Prof Zana Itiunbe Akpagu, as the new and 10th Vice Chancellor of the institution.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akpagu is the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) in the university.
In a statement signed by Mr Effiong Eyoh, the institution’s spokesman, Akpagu is the second Vice Chancellor to emerge from the Faculty of Arts, after the short-lived tenure of Prof. Solomon Unoh in 1995.
“He will take over from Prof James Epoke, whose tenure ends on November 30,’’ it stated.
It added that the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, unveiled Akpagu at the Council Chamber of the institution.
The statement quoted Iwuanyawu, as saying that Akpagu polled 74 per cent to win what he described as a ‘Close Contest.’
He said that eight candidates who were duly screened participated in the ‘Interview Selection’ exercise.
He described the exercise as one of the fairest since the inception of the institution.
Pro-chancellor commended the council for maintaining decorum, integrity and high standard throughout the entire process.
On University of Calabar website, the text of Zana Akpagu biography, reads:
Prof Akpagu was a onetime Commissioner for education in Cross River state and member of the State Executive Council under the last two Governors, a former Dean of students’ Affairs and member, Unical Governing council.
The new Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration and Professor of Modern Languages and Translations, Prof Zana Itiunbe Akpagu, was until his recent appointment, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and also a member of the University Senate.
The erudite academic is also widely published in various national and international journals, has authored a couple of Books and contributed book chapters in many other publications, as well as, attended and presented papers in various Conferences/Workshop both locally and internationally.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration has also held several positions of responsibilities both within and outside the University culminating in lots of Awards and Honours including the Conferment of Chieftaincy title of “Ushikebe I of Ipong” in Obudu Local Government area of Cross River state.
Prof. Zana Itiunbe Akpagu, a Knight of the Order of Saint Mulumba (KSM) is a member of various learned societies including the Association for the Study of Carribbeam and African Literature in French (ASCALF), Britain.
Credit: NAN / Unic Press
