24/12/2023
Academic Staff Union Of Universities (ASUU(
University Of Uyo Celebrates Heroes'Day
Donatus Ekong
It was a thing of joy and honour as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Uyo branch ASUU -UUB converged to celebrate its members for their relentless efforts and services towards the growth and stability of the Union.
The event tagged 'Heroes'Day Celebration ',which was a cross section of various unions of the University,, Awardees and students took place at the One Thousand capacity TET Fund Auditorium, University of Uyo, main campus, Nwaniba Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor and the chief Host, Prof Nyaudo Ndaeyo highly represented by Prof.Benjjamin Etuk appreciated the ASUU for organizing such occasion to honour and celebrate its members and some students, saying it was a moment of gladness since it wasn't a gathering to effect Industrial Action but a convention to put smiles on people's faces.
He applauded the Union for their selfless struggles and engagement, stressing that ASUU has gone miles by changing the narrative and by giving direction for a better university system which will augur well in the rare fruit.
In his keynote address, prof Des Wilson recalled the formative days of ASUU from the then University of Cross River State to its glorious day in the present University of Uyo. He hammered on the trying moment,whom he said was full of pains, denial, opposition, labelling, harassment and rejection.
Prof Wilson, was delighted to be part and parcel of the Union which educates, inspires and proffer solutions to problems that bothers on the citedal of learning and by extension, place the society in a better position. He regretted over political antics and the manipulative days of the University Registrar to hunt, castigate and even assign him a new country -Ghana, all to destabilize the Union.
He thanked members of the Union for their strategy, focus, teamwork and stability in liberating ASUU through their moral standards, brave courage, honesty, integrity and balance judgement.
Reflecting on the Essence of Heroes' Day, Dr. Happiness Uduk said during the course of Union's Assignment, that members died in a fatal accident at Lokoja, Kogi State when the Governor's convoy clashed with the Union's vehicle. She stressed that there is need for members to be celebrated and honoured as well, having considered the struggles.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Occasion Prof Emmanuel Owoioduokid of the Department of Economics, University of Uyo, dwelled extensively who is An"Heroe".He maintained that wealth, money and influence does not qualifies someone to be an heroe but total commitment and conviction for what a person believes, which he has found in the members of the Union. He further gave kudos to the leadership and the members of the organizing committee for a job well done.
The NLC Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Comrade Sunny James, in his goodwill message felt satisfied for being part the occasion and commended the Union for their gigantic strides and landmarks in resolving issues of the branch and that of the national level.
In their various remarks, members of SANU, NASU and NAAT expressed their satisfaction towards the leadership style of the ASUU -UUB.
Awards of recognition was presented to deserving members of ASUU -UUB in persons of Prof.Edet Peter ,Prof Des Wilson, Prof Joe Ushie, Prof AK pan Essiet, Prof Ashong Ashong and Dr Etoo Effiong Ndiyo.
Meanwhile, scholarship were given to outstanding students from various faculty in the University of Uyo among whom were Otobong Jeremiah, Sunday Sabestain, Umo Daniel Effiong, Emmanuel Tom, Thomas Gloria and many others.