Blessing Alims, the first female Students’ Union Government president in the history of the University of Calabar, has crowned a trailblazing undergraduate journey with a First Class degree.

Alims, who entered the university in 2020, combined intense academic work with a demanding schedule of menial jobs to fund her education. She made shoes, worked as a fashion designer at the Cross River Garment Factory and volunteered with the Girls’ Power Initiative in Calabar, all while maintaining top grades.

Her efforts paid off at the institution’s 38th convocation, where she emerged as the number six overall best graduating student, the best in her faculty and department, and the top graduate from her local government area.

Reflecting on her journey, Alims urged Nigerian youths to embrace discipline and resilience rather than surrender to frustration over the country’s economic and social challenges. She argued that while structural problems are real, personal responsibility remains crucial for progress.

“Discipline is not just about avoiding distractions; it is about making the right choices daily, even when it is inconvenient,” she said, encouraging students to stay focused despite hardship.

Alims made history in her 300 level when she was elected the first female SUG president since the university’s founding in 1975, leading a student population of more than 45,000. Her tenure was marked by a series of tangible projects and policy interventions.

She facilitated the introduction of five mini buses to ease campus transportation, instituted a N1,000,000 prize for the best graduating student, and launched a scholarship scheme that sponsored 50 students. She also secured a solar-powered borehole to improve water supply in hostels and championed advocacy that culminated in the university’s first gender policy.

Beyond campus politics, Alims has consistently promoted education, skill acquisition and entrepreneurship as pathways out of poverty. She urged young Nigerians to invest in personal development and to use digital platforms for learning, networking and income generation, rather than mere entertainment.

“The internet is a powerful tool for learning, networking, and economic empowerment. Utilize it effectively,” she said, adding that her own story — from admission in 2020 to becoming UNICAL’s first female SUG president and graduating with a First Class — should serve as proof that determination can rewrite expectations.