Rasheeda Yahaya
Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Offiong Effanga Offiong has extolled the contributions of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, PhD, LL.D, CFR, to national development, commending his community advancement initiatives and legislative excellence.
He gave the commendation on Friday when the Deputy Speaker visited the institution for his Doctoral thesis defence in Law.
It will be recalled that Kalu who obtained his Bachelors of Law, Master of Law from the university also has a doctorate degree in Policy and Strategies Studies (PSS) from University of Abuja.
Offiong expressed profound admiration for the lawmaker’s achievements in the National Assembly, noting that Kalu’s record of service continues to inspire students across the university.
He said: “We are indeed very happy and pleased with your landmark achievements in the House of Representatives and your efforts in advancing communities across the country not just your immediate constituency but Nigeria at large”.
The Vice Chancellor added that Kalu’s contributions stand as examples the university proudly showcases to its students, reinforcing that education at UNICAL is not only for academic excellence but also for national service.
“Your contributions in the National Assembly are attributes we use to showcase to our students: that you are trained not only for academic excellence but to serve our country’, he said.
Offiong further remarked that the institution eagerly looks forward to welcoming the Deputy Speaker at its next convocation ceremony.
“It is an honour for me to congratulate you and to have the privilege of robing you during the conferment of your Doctor of Philosophy. You obtained your LL.B and Master of Laws here, and this shows your confidence in the University of Calabar. You are not just an ambassador. You are a very proud ambassador of this great institution,” he stated.
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker, Kalu expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the institution’s support throughout his academic journey, noting that his training at UNICAL was championed by the finest minds.
“It is a thing of delight to be here. I am here for my PhD thesis defence, and I sincerely thank you for the support and encouragement,” he said.
He commended the thoroughness of his external examiner and the dedication of the Postgraduate School, his supervisor, and the lecturers, describing the entire experience as remarkable.
“I am proud of what I have achieved. It took sacrifice, discipline, diligence, and consistency,” he noted.
Kalu also paid glowing tribute to the quality of education at UNICAL, recalling that the institution has consistently equipped its graduates with the tools to excel anywhere in the world.
“In the past, we were equipped to face the world, and I know it is still the same today. One thing the University of Calabar will always do is hand you the keys to opportunities. It opens doors, but it is up to you to decide whether to walk in or remain outside”, he said
He further explained that his decision to return to UNICAL for his doctoral studies was deeply personal, emphasising a sense of connection to the university’s values and what it represents.
“As for me, I didn’t want to stay out. I wanted to be involved and here I am. Today, I am confidently displaying what this citadel of learning impacted in me, showing the world that homegrown professionals have a lot to offer. I have studied around the world, but I chose home for my PhD because home is where the heart is, and whatever touches home touches the heart.”
Highlighting the relevance of his doctoral work, the Deputy Speaker noted that his research into counter-terrorism legislation addresses critical gaps in ethics, human rights, and policy implementation.
“My Ph.D thesis examines the gaps in legislation around counter-terrorism: the ethical concerns, human rights gaps, the challenges, and how emerging democracies can learn from these realities,” he explained. He added that the practical outcomes of his research are already finding application at the national level. According to him, “the knowledge produced here is being used in Parliament today”, he said.
Kalu reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the university’s administration, emphasising that the influence of the institution extends far beyond academics and into the realm of national policy and governance.
“Vice Chancellor, sir, you are worthy to sit here as Vice-Chancellor, and we will support you to succeed. We supported your predecessor, and we will support you as well. Alma mater is a place we must be proud of, and alumni should rally around their University,” Kalu added
