By Ekemini Raymond (Brainnews Ng Columnist),

The 28th convocation ceremony of the university of calabar and the 40th anniversary has held as scheduled, and has left numerous legacies behind in the minds of the university community and the public at large.

One of such legacies was the absence of the state Governor and the visitor of the university from such a big event. Though the governor was ably represented by the honourable commissioner of education for state, Prof. Offiong, Offiong, many described the absence of the governor as uncalled for, due the magnitude of the event. A student from the faculty of law who didn’t want her name in print said that for the governor to absence himself from the university convocation and anivesary celebration of this magnitude, then he has no love for the UNICAL community.

If he was listed for an Honorary degree, he would have been physically present, despite other engagement, she concluded. Similary, one of graduand from the faculty of social science said he was disappointed that both the President of the country and the state governor boycotted the double celebration, even as they were high preparations and anticipation to receive and welcome them to the celebration.

He concluded that either the planning committee for the celebration didn’t do their work well or the both officials are treating UNICAL with levity, because according to him, the event is bigger than a commissioner of educations representation.

Another student who was very furious over the absence of the duo from the event said that both officials do not have the love of the graduating youths and the university community at large, he vowed never to vote PDP in the forth coming elections, because of that singular act the duo has done, because according to him, he came to the event just to see the governor for the first time, but suddenly meet his absence.