BRIEF BIODATA OF PROF. ZANA ITIUNBE AKPAGU (KSM,JP) fcai, fipmd

Prof. Zana Akpagu, Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar

Prof. Zana Itiunbe Akpagu is the current Vice- Chancellor of the University of Calabar and the 10th in the series. He holds the historic record of being the 1st Alumnus of Unical to become its Vice-Chancellor. He is incidentally, the 1st Vice-Chancellor of that institution from Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State.

A professor of Caribbean and African Literature in French, Akpagu until his present appointment, had served the University as a Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Administration).

Born in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, 58 years ago, Professor Akpagu began his Educational career in the famous Mary Knoll College, Okuku-Ogoja (now-Yala), where he obtained Division One in the West African School Certificate Examination (W.A.S.C.E), in 1977. He thereafter proceeded  to the University of Calabar where he bagged a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in French with Second Class Upper Division in 1982. In 1985, he obtained an M.A in French from the same University and in 1995, a Ph. D in African and Caribbean Literature in French, from the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Professor Akpagu’s working experience began as a Graduate Assistant with the defunct University of Cross River State, now the University of Uyo. He later moved to the University of Benin as Lecturer 1, from 1994 to 1998 and thereafter took up appointment with the University of Calabar, as Senior Lecturer, in 1998, where he rose to become a Professor on 1st October, 2007.

An erudite Scholar, Professor Akpagu has won a number of awards, including “Dr. E.N Amaku Prize” for Best Graduating Student in Languages from Unical, in 1982. He has attended many Local and International conferences (in U.S.A, France, Isreal, South Korea, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, etc) and with many publications to his credit. He is a member of several professional bodies and a recipient of over 35 awards. The multitudinous awards clearly underlie his massive contributions in the Gown and Town.

While in UNICAL, he had served at a time as the Head of Department of Modern Languages and Translation, Dean of Students’ Affairs, Elected Member of Governing Council as well as the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin).

The University 10th Vice Chancellor had also served his people in different capacities such as Commissioner of Education, Cross River State (2001-2003 under Governor Donald Duke), Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Inter-Governmental Affairs (2007-2010) as well as Special Adviser to the Governor, Special Duties (2010-2012 under Governor Imoke).

It is noteworthy that under his watch as Commissioner of Education, he midwifed the establishment of the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), saw to the return of 11 seized Mission Secondary Schools to their owners, including his alma mater, Mary Knoll College Okuku, Yala and established 27 new secondary schools among which are Government Secondary School Atekong Drive (the most populous secondary school in Cross River State and 6 others in Calabar), Government Secodary School, Okuku, Yala.; Kagbong Secondary School Ipong, Obudu, etc.

Professor Akpagu is a devout Catholic Christian, a Knight of the Sacred Order of St. Mulumba and a Jerusalem Pilgrim (JP).  He is a quintessential community leader and chief, who holds the Obudu traditional titles of “Ushikebe 1” of Ipong, “Utekushu 1” of Bebuagbong, Obudu, “Utah kinde 1” of Bedia, Obudu, “Ushikpel kubong 1” of Ohong, Obudu, “Ntufam  Amid Ejagham” of the Qua Nation,  “Otebeche 1” of Yala, “Garkuwan Matasan Arewa”, etc.
  
He is happily married to Ntunkae (Lady) Winnie and the union is blessed with four lovely chrildren: Briana, Maximillien,  Zana Jnr. and Sean