STATEMENT BY UNICROSS ALUMNI PRESIDENT FOLLOWING INAUGURATION INTO THE 6TH GOVERNING COUNCIL
Fellow esteemed alumni of Blazers Republic,
1. Thursday, April 17, 2025, was a memorable day for our nascent association and, indeed, the entire university for a number of reasons. My inauguration into the 6th Governing Council of our great university, the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), may have made the headlines among our members, but there was more!
2. The day marked a remarkable beginning of a new dawn in our institution in general and the end to the almost seven years of leadership tussle in the alumni association. Beyond this, the university has moved from not having a single member of its product in the council a few years ago to having one in the last eight years and now four in the incumbent Council: Dr. Victor Ndifon, Mr. Ukam Ilok, Dr. Eddy Hogans, even though represent different interests, have now joined the President to increase the number of products of the institution in council. This number will increase to five in the coming days when we conduct the convocation seat election. What this means is that for the first time in the history of the university, the governing council will have five (5) people with permanent connections to the institution as old students playing critical roles in its policy framework. This does not only signify progress but it is a sign that the institution has come of age and sooner, rather than later will begin to also produce Vice Chancellors and other management staff from among the alumni of the institution.
3. As the president, Thursday was not the first time I was going to be introduced into the Governing Council. I was first introduced into the governing council (5th council ) on the 19th of February 2024 but shortly after that, some vested interests that wanted to perpetually keep the association divided to their benefits frustrated all efforts for me to function effectively in council. But as God had destined, what they thought was aimed at destroying me turned out to be a reason for me and the association’s elevation. I was not just inaugurated in the small council chambers of the university but at the hallowed chambers of the State Executive Council by none less a person but the Visitor and Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu. Even at the point of the inauguration, some agents within and outside the university who are adverse to this progress tried to frustrate it, but God put them all to shame.
4. I don’t begrudge anybody because I see the situation the association has gone through as the necessary path to cross to take it rightful place as the real owner of the university. Maybe without the journey, the many lessons we have learned wouldn’t have been possible. Again, like I did promised during the electioneering period in 2023, after this current administration, nobody within and outside the university would take the alumni association for granted again.
5. To everybody who stood by us throughout the stormy days, we say thank you. To our dear Governor and Visitor, we say thank you for believing in my ability to be part of the team to transform the institution. I have never forgotten the very short but inspiring congratulatory message I received from the governor in 2023 upon winning the election as president of the association. He said he was excited about my emergence because, in me, he had a partner who shares the same passion as him for the institution. Indeed, the governor has demonstrated his love for the institution in many ways before and even now as the Visitor.
6. To the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, the Chief of Staff, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, the Commissioner for Education, Distinguished Senator Stephen Odey, my own Reps member, Hon. Peter Akpanke, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Justin Beshel, the State Protocol Officer, Hon. Sylvester Abang, the Commissioner for Youths Development, Barr. Ukam Ijom, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youths Development, Comrade Daniel Obo, and all those who stood by us from the beginning till the end, we say thank you. I don’t have anything to offer you other than ensuring I make you proud in the discharge of my duties.
7. To my dear predecessor, Comrade Eyam Abeng, my wonderful executive members, the Board of Trustees Chairman, Barr. Ukam Ngwu, Ph.D. and other members, and all my wonderful supporters, thank you for believing in me. Now that we’ve been more empowered, our motivation and commitment to partner with relevant authorities to move the university forward in line with the People’s First Agenda of Governor Bassey Otu is stronger than ever.
8. To the entire alumni and the university community, my promise to you is that we may not always do what you will like, but we will always do what is right and best for the association and university. For the things you’ll not like, I apologize ahead but know that our intention is far from trying to offend people; we know that in the process of trying to change the norm, a lot of people will be offended but trust us that whatever we stand for, both in the running of the association and contributions in council will be in the best interest of our alma mater.
9. We have spent over a year wasting resources that should have been channeled into working for the university in the court or security. However, the storm is now over, and we’re getting to work immediately. Like we assured during the elections, our resolve has remained to ensure that we mobilize resources to address the small yet important things that can make our university better. But we can not do this alone. Therefore, I appeal for the continued support of everybody. For some of our members who are still pained, I urge them to put the interest of the association and university first by eschewing all bitterness and join us to work together for our alma mater.
Thank you, and God bless.
-Inyali Peter, Ph.D.
