The Management of the University of Calabar has announced the termination of the appointments of no fewer than 20 Graduate Assistants drawn from across various Departments in the Institution.

Separate letters of termination of appointment signed by the Registrar, Mr Gabriel O. Egbe indicate that the reason for their layoff is because the affected staff are in contravention of Section 3.9.3 (iv) of the 2014 Regulations Governing the Condition of Service of staff of the University of Calabar.

It is worth noting that the aforementioned section stipulates that "if a Graduate Assistant fails to obtain a Master's degree after four (4) years, the appointment of the said staff shall be terminated".

All affected staff are said to have spent between five to nine years post-appointment without evidence of having acquired a Master's degree within the period of their engagement.

The affected staff whose termination of appointment is with effect from June 6th, 2023 include; the Department of Curriculum and Teaching - Nkanu, Celestine Uno, Samson, Cyprian Ushie and Chukwu Chukwe Agube.

Also affected are; Adie Anthony Unimke of the Department of Geology, Nnenna, Williams Afamuefuna of Anatomy; Okoro, Bernard Chibueze of Microbiology; Eze Ohara Enyinyi of Physics; Udo, Nsibiet Enefiok of Mathematics; Udeze, Leonard Chinedu of Computer Science; Adie John Betiang of Vocational Education; Ikpo Patrick Andelehe of Social Science Education and Edet, Itam Ben of Human Kinetics.

Others are, Arihi, Blessing Ebere of Music; Baba, Ganiyu Olosasa of Crop Science; Okpe, John Ogbang of Forestry and Wildlife Resources Mgt.; Georgeline Elohor Akporume of Agric Economics; Ucheji, Ojuigo Nancy of Mechanical Engineering and Onwe, Peter Daffin of Electrical & Electronics Engr. as well as, Adah Pius Obua and Samuel Edem Okon-Edem, both of Genetics & Biotechnology.

The affected staff are further advised to return all university property in their possession to their respective Heads of Departments and tender evidence of being cleared of any indebtedness by the Bursary and the University Librarian before their final disengagement.