Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has called on the alumni of the University of Uyo to contribute to the growth and development of their alma mater.
Speaking at the 2024 alumni reunion held at Ibom Icon Hotel on Tuesday, Governor Eno, represented by Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi, described it as a “misnomer” for graduates to achieve personal success while their alma mater declines.
The governor. who is an alumnus of the University, said alumni all over the world play crucial roles in the development of their alma mater after graduation, adding that abandoning alma mater is tantamount to pushing down the ladder used in climbing up.
He said, “This reunion shouldn’t stop with the exchange of banters, delivering of speeches, recounting of fond memories, clinging of glasses and revival of old friendships.
“We should consciously go beyond these exciting moments to commit to giving back to the school which equipped us for the great lives we are enjoying today. It is a misnomer for alumni to make progress as individuals while their alma mater is decaying.
“All over the world, alumni play crucial roles in the development of their alma mater. Abandoning your alma mater after graduation is akin to pushing down the ladder after using it to ascend heights you ordinarily wouldn’t have reached.
“There is a moral obligation to hold the ladder for others to also climb with.”
The President of the Uniuyo Alumni Association, Onofiok Luke, highlighted the achievements of the association since 2020 and reiterated calls for the release of the university’s take-off grant, pending since 1991.
Luke, a former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, noted that the association has consistently advocated for increased federal government support to address the university’s challenges.
“We have also tirelessly advocated for the release of the university’s take-off grant, pending since 1991, and increased federal government support for our university.
“We call on all alumni to join hands with the executives to establish an exchange program for the university students with other institutions globally, support the completion of ongoing projects and partner in developing secure infrastructure for electronic voting in the upcoming election,” Luke said.
He called on all alumni to join hands with the executives to address other critical concerns of the institution.
Guest speaker Inam Wilson (SAN), speaking on the topic “Drawing from the Gown to Influence the Town—The Missing Link,” emphasised the need for universities to build stronger ties with their communities. He noted that while Vice Chancellors often push for increased funding, more effort should be made to generate resources internally.
He lamented that the missing link has been that vice chancellors of universities always push for increased allocation to universities without necessarily looking inward to generate their resources.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Charles Udoh, described the alumni reunion as a testament to the enduring bond shared by graduates.
“We have grown, we have evolved and we have excelled in countless ways but remain united by our common goals and values, instilled in us by our great university.” he said.
The event featured the presentation of awards to outstanding alumni and the induction of new members.
Credit: THE PUNCH
