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Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has pledged support for the construction of a convocation pavilion at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), saying it is “unacceptable” for a 50-year-old institution to hold its ceremonies under canopies.
Mr Kalu, a 1998 law graduate of the university, made the commitment during events marking UNICAL’s 37th Convocation and 50th Anniversary. He took part in a novelty walk, football match, and a mock lecture with former classmates before delivering the convocation lecture.
Laying the foundation for the new pavilion, he urged alumni to contribute to the project and called on the university to ensure quality construction.
“At 50, UNICAL has come of age. We cannot continue holding convocation ceremonies under canopies. This project will restore the dignity of our university,” he said.
“My office and the House Committee on University Education will supervise the construction to ensure it meets high standards.”
Earlier, Vice Chancellor Florence Obi had told Mr Kalu that the university lacked a convocation venue, recalling how rain once disrupted a ceremony.
“We were about to move to the field when the rains came and blew everything away,” she said.
She confirmed that the new pavilion would be named after the deputy speaker and would include a 6,000-seat hall and a separate theatre arts facility.
“We are grateful for this legacy project,” she added.
Mr Kalu’s intervention is expected to address longstanding concerns over infrastructure at the university.
