A London based news platform, ‘The Nigerian’ and the ‘Nigeria Print Journalism Magazine’ have selected the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Calabar, Calabar (Unical), Prof. Zana Akapgu as their “Best Performing” VC in Nigeria in the last one year.
In separate letters dated 12th and 13th of July respectively and signed by the Publisher of The Nigerian, Halima Samuel as well as Omo Theodore, the Editor-in-chief of the Print Journalism Magazine, Zana was selected after a critical evaluation of his achievements since he assumed office.
According to The Nigerian, the VC is to be conferred with the award of the “Best Education Leadership Icon” on August 25th in London, United Kingdom.
The paper explained that the award was in recognition of the VC’s “immense contributions to educational development and nation building through transparent and inclusive leadership at the University of Calabar”.
Continuing, the news platform noted that the award which is a collective decision of their readers, fans and editorial board took into consideration Zana untiring efforts and sacrifices to bring about rapid pace development of projects from start to finish, infrastructural development, cultivation of harmonious working relationship amongst the management, staff and students of the University and the recent visibility of the institution on global rating indices as a result of his sterling leadership qualities.
In the same vein, the Print Journalism Magazine said that Zana was selected as the best after an undercover critical appraisal and evaluation of his personality as well as “his effective and efficient service in the Nigeria education sector especially in the area of professionalism, management and exemplary leadership.
The Magazine commended him for “helping to address the most pressing needs in our institution, community and our country Nigeria”.
The media outfit reminded the VC that “In our inaugural address, we stayed that we need a new era responsibility, a recognition on the part of every Nigerians that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world. These are duties that we do not grudgingly accept, but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there’s nothing so satisfying to the spirit than giving our all to a difficult task. Your service demonstrate the kind of commitment to the institution that moves Nigeria a step closer to its great promise”.
While explaining that the award committee were looking for someone who has made a difference, the Magazine added that “Thank you for devotion to shape a better tomorrow for our generation “.
