Education
The Powerful Women of UNICAL

By Gift Adango
The University of Calabar (UNICAL), located in coastal Calabar Municipal, an ancient city with a long tradition of culture and contact with western civilization, is a second-generation federal university in Nigeria.
Founded in 1975 under the National Higher Education Expansion Programme of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria, the university has grown to become one of the best-ranked universities in Nigeria and the 65th best-ranked university in Africa from just 896 students in 1976.
International organisations, including the United Nations (UN), have been advocating for universities to adopt the National Gender Policy, the policy represents a set of minimum standards expected of the Nigerian government to meet its mandate for gender equality, good governance, accountability, and being socially responsive to the needs of its vulnerable group.
The University of Calabar has been leading the pack of Nigerian universities as it is set to adopt the gender policy. The UNICAL Senate is poised to give the policy the green light once the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike is suspended.
The draft policy has been at the senate before the commencement of the strike action. Apart from the gender policy, the University of Calabar is one of the few which has gender-equal management in the country and Africa at large.
The Women in Leadership Positions at the University of Calabar
The Vice-Chancellor
Professor Florence Banku Obi hails from Boki local government area in Cross River State. She began her academic career as an Assistant Lecturer at the Institute of Education, the University of Calabar in March 1990.
Two years after her appointment, with her utmost desire to foster a bold and innovative spirit in faculty teaching and academic excellence, she won a 6-month postgraduate scholarship to Jordan-Hill College of Education, Glasgow, Scotland, under the World University Service (WUS) World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in a keenly contested interview for staff of the Institute of Education. On her return from the United Kingdom, she was placed in charge of the WWF/NCF-funded schools and Community Education Programmes. She subsequently facilitated the development of the degree program in Environmental Education at the university, which has since resulted in the establishment of a full-fledged and flourishing Department of Environmental Education.
Professor Florence Banku biography further entails how she rose through the ranks to become a Professor of Special Needs Education in 2007. As Dean, she pioneered the take-off of 22 affiliate programs of the Federal College of Education, Obudu, Cross River State, and the Federal College of Education, Kastina-Ala, Benue State to the faculty of Education of the University of Calabar. Following her credibility, integrity, and commitment to service, she was voted as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) by the University Senate. As DVC Academics, she was also a member of the university governing council, where she brought her wealth of experience to bear on the growth and development of the university.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics)
Angela Ekanem Oyo-Ita, a Professor of Community Medicine and a former Commissioner for Health of Cross River State is the head of the academic activities at UNICAL. She is responsible for ensuring effective and efficient academic staff development as well as ensuring the effective academic development of students. Professor Angela is also a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians (Community Health). She has served in several capacities at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
The University Librarian
Professor Aniebiet Inyang Ntui is an Associate of the European Union Research Initiative – Europeana, the University of the West of Scotland’s Centre for African Research on Enterprise and Economic Development and the University of Glasgow’s UK-COP 26 Universities Climate Network. She has served as a Consultant of Information Management to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, United Nations Development Programme, and the World Bank.
Recently suggested by an Op-Ed as one of the possible candidates to serve as the Minister of Education in the Peter Obi-led administration if he can successfully win the February 2023 poll. She is one of the most read researchers in Nigeria, according to statistics on the Web of Science Site, with over 500,000 reads on the ResearchGate Portal.
Education
Quidax, Tether Drive Blockchain Education in Africa

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A strategic partnership has been entered into between Africa’s leading crypto exchange, Quidax, and largest company in the digital asset industry, Tether, to enhance blockchain education in Africa by equipping users with knowledge about Bitcoin and stablecoins, starting in Nigeria and Ghana.
Through this collaboration, Quidax and Tether aim to empower over 15,000 people and businesses with the knowledge to leverage digital assets.
The collaboration will include financial literacy campaigns, thought leadership, interactive workshops, and community engagement efforts designed to equip users with the knowledge to navigate the digital asset ecosystem safely and effectively.
Quidax and Tether are working toward a more inclusive and empowered financial ecosystem in Africa by fostering financial literacy and expanding access to digital assets education.
USDT, a dollar-pegged stablecoin, plays a crucial role in financial inclusion by providing stability amid currency volatility and enabling seamless cross-border payments.
With Africa emerging as a key player in the global crypto economy, this collaboration aligns with the region’s growing demand for digital financial education.
“With rising interest in digital assets across Africa, stablecoins like USDT provide a reliable way for people to store value and conduct business transactions with ease.
“Collaborating with Tether allows us to bridge the knowledge gap and drive broader education of cryptocurrency in a way that benefits everyday people,” the chief executive of Quidax, Mr Buchi Okoro, said.
“At Tether, we are committed to fostering financial education and empowering communities with the tools they need to navigate the digital economy.
“Africa is at the forefront of blockchain adoption, with Ghana and Nigeria among the most prominent emerging markets. Through this collaboration with Quidax, we aim to give individuals and businesses the knowledge to leverage digital assets consciously.
“By collaborating on financial education, we are laying a foundation for a more inclusive and accessible financial ecosystem,” the chief executive of Tether, Mr Paolo Ardoino, stated.
Education
International Scholars to Chronicle Life of Nigerian Historian Kenneth Dike

By Adedapo Adesanya
The duo of Emmanuella Agayapong, an industrial economics expert from Accra, Ghana, and Jy’Quan Stewart, an American writer and historian, are co-authoring a new biography titled The Biography of Kenneth Dike: Nigerian Pioneer in a rare cross-continental collaboration effort.
This forthcoming work aims to illuminate the life and legacy of Kenneth Onwuka Dike, a seminal figure in African historiography and Nigeria’s first indigenous Vice-Chancellor.
Kenneth Onwuka Dike (1917–1983) was instrumental in redefining African historical studies. He championed the decolonization of African history, emphasizing the importance of indigenous perspectives and oral traditions in historical research.
Dike’s tenure as the first Nigerian Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan marked a significant milestone in the nation’s academic development.
His efforts led to the establishment of the Nigerian National Archives and the Historical Society of Nigeria, institutions crucial for preserving the continent’s rich heritage.
The biography will delve into Dike’s early life in Awka, Nigeria, his academic pursuits across institutions like Fourah Bay College and the University of Aberdeen, and his pivotal role in promoting African leadership in scholarly works.
By chronicling his journey, the authors aim to shed light on Dike’s enduring impact on African historiography and higher education.
Emmanuella Agayapong brings a unique analytical perspective to the project, intertwining her expertise in industrial economics with a deep-seated passion for history and economic development. Jy’Quan Stewart, known for his dedication to uncovering unsung stories, contributes his extensive experience in historical research and advocacy.
Their partnership exemplifies an innovative approach to self-publishing, aiming to reach a global audience and inspire future generations.
This collaboration not only honors Kenneth Dike’s legacy but also sets a new precedent for international literary partnerships. By combining diverse perspectives and expertise, Agayapong and Stewart are poised to offer readers a comprehensive and insightful narrative of a man who reshaped the understanding of African history.
Emmanuella Agayapong is an industrial economics expert based in Accra, Ghana. With a passion for history and economic development, she brings a unique analytical perspective to the book.
Jy’Quan Stewart is an American writer and historian dedicated to uncovering unsung stories. His experience in historical research and advocacy makes him a vital voice in documenting Kenneth Dike’s legacy.
Together, Agayapong and Stewart are breaking new ground in self-publishing, demonstrating the power of international collaboration in historical literature.
Education
Hydrogen Donates to Ikosi High School Lagos

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A company fostering financial and technological inclusion, Hydrogen Payment Services Company Limited, has donated some items to Ikosi Senior High School, Ketu, Lagos.
The company partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Education District II to provide a 5KVA solar-powered inverter system to the school.
In addition, the school had its water outlet area renovated to improving both its aesthetics and hygiene in line with Hydrogen’s commitment to enhancing learning environments.
Further, it donated some textbooks to the school library, ensuring they have the academic resources needed for a well-rounded education.
Also, the firm invested in the future of the students by equipping them with essential digital skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Through expert-led, interactive sessions, students were introduced to key tech-driven career paths, including Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Software Development, Payment Technology, Product Management and Design, Sales and Business Development, Customer Experience, Digital Marketing, and Project Management.
According to Hydrogen, this comprehensive initiative reinforces its commitment to bridge the digital divide, fostering financial and technological inclusion, and preparing the next generation for the future of work, calling on all stakeholders to join in igniting potential, fostering financial and technological inclusion, and shaping the future of Africa’s digital economy.
It stated that by merging sustainability with digital education and academic support, it is ensuring students not only have access to reliable infrastructure and learning materials but also the knowledge and skills to navigate the global digital economy.
“At Hydrogen, we believe sustainability is about more than just environmental responsibility, but about investing in people, communities, and the future we are building together.
“This initiative is a comprehensive investment in young minds, ensuring they have both the resources and the skills to lead Africa’s digital transformation,” the Business Head for Payment Switching and Processing at Hydrogen, Fiyinfoluwa Olorunsola, said.
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