In a historic milestone, Colette Offiong Bassey has shattered a 44-year-old record at the University of Calabar, Nigeria, by becoming the first-ever graduate to achieve a first-class honor in the Department of Linguistics and Communications Studies.
Remarkably, Colette accomplished this extraordinary feat while heavily pregnant during her final year examinations. Undeterred by the challenges, she sat for her exams on Wednesday and, to everyone’s amazement, gave birth to a baby boy just days later on Saturday.
The university, in an official statement, has verified that Colette Offiong Bassey is now etched in history as the first individual to attain a first-class degree from the Department of Linguistics and Communications Studies since its inception in 1977.
The statement reads: “Bassey Colette Offiong emerged as the sole first-class student from Linguistics and Nigerian Languages in the 2018/2019 session,” making her the inaugural recipient of this prestigious honor in the department’s illustrious history.
This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to Colette’s resilience and dedication, making her an inspiration to the academic community and beyond.
