by The Nigeria Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET), has conferred the award of Fellow on the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi
The Award of Fellow ceremony was conducted at the Council Chamber of the University of Calabar by the Executive Committee of NASET led by the National President, Dr Catherine Atteng.
Speaking after receiving the award, the Vice Chancellor said she appreciates the honour, describing it as a dream realised, vision achieved and mission accomplished.
Prof. Obi stated that NASET has come a long way as it had touched several lives and given hope to so many people in society in its 34 years of existence.
She said that Special Educators can no longer be mistreated, maligned or sidelined as in the past because their status in society is becoming more acceptable and influential than ever.
The VC said the advocacy efforts have yielded fruits as evidenced in the promulgation of a law directing establishments to modify their buildings to accommodate people with disability, setting up of a Disability Commission and appointment of some of them as Special Assistants.
She charged the leaders not to relent in their good work but to continue to work for the improvement and overall well-being of NASET.
Prof. Obi called on lawmakers not just to make laws but ensure that such laws are implemented mostly those that are disability friendly, thereby expressing the confidence that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration will give attention and priority to inclusivity.
In an earlier address, the National President of (NASET), commended Prof. Obi over the honour and described her as a “Professor Protagoras” whose
fellowship and mentorship has added profound values to NASET as a body and the University of Calabar.
Dr Atteng observed that in the face of limited resources and political dynamics, Prof. Obi has proven her leadership ability on many fronts as a “Mentor, Professor among Professors, Pace Setter, Destiny-helper, and a rare gem that is worthy of emulation”.
She expressed the optimism that despite the lingering societal moral decadence and social upheaval the Vice Chancellor will continue to promote qualitative and quantitative education, prioritise Staff and Students’ welfare, fight cultism and examination malpractice to a standstill, enforce discipline and inculcate moral standards in the University Community.
