The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi has been conferred with the Fellowship award of “Distinguished Teacher” by the African Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA)

The award which was conferred on her via Zoom makes her the 39^th fellow of AFTRA in the Africa Continent, 6th Fellow in Nigeria and the first woman to attain that height in the nation.

Speaking in response to the honour conferred on her, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi said she was overwhelmed and considered the recognition as the “peak of all the awards” which she has received, adding that it had no “political undertone”.

Prof Florence Obi thanked the regional body for recognizing her role and massive contribution as a teacher and also creating a result-oriented platform that has helped in no small way to project the teaching profession.

She lauded AFTRA for fostering and also recognizing the Licensing of the teaching profession across African countries and also pleaded with the “Teaching Regulatory” agency not to relent in its pursuit of bringing Teachers salary at par with their colleagues in other countries.

The Unical helmsman said the University of Calabar will do its utmost best as an institution to encourage teachers and to churn out the best in the teaching profession and in the same vein called on the President of the nation to ensure that the Teachers Salary Scale (TSS) is given utmost priority.

In an earlier address, the President of AFTRA and Chairman, South African council for Educators, Centurion, South Africa, Mabutho Lucky Goodman Cele said the event was organised to honour one of Africa’s shinning Stars of the Teaching Profession.

The AFTRA President said that Prof Florence Obi has contributed in no small measure to the advancement of the teaching profession in Nigeria and Africa as evidenced in a critical examination of her curriculum vitae and comprehensive report on her antecedents.

The Executive Director (Academics) of AFTRA, Prof Steve Nwokeocha going down memory lane identified Prof Florence Obi as one of the top five Deans of Education when she was Dean of Education, University of Calabar who believed in the dream of a new teaching profession.

Prof Steve Nwokeocha said Prof Florence Obi demonstrated unparalleled zeal during her tenure as Dean in sensitizing and inducting the graduates of Faculty of Education and courageously brought the Teaching profession to the fore.

The event which was attended by the management cadre of the university featured the award presentation to the vice Chancellor.