The University of Uyo Alumni Association has appealed to the federal government to release the take- off grant due to the institution 33 years after its establishment.
President of the UniUyo Alumni Association, Onofiok Luke, who made the appeal during the institution’s alumni reunion 2024, stated that the non-release of the take-off grant has been an issue of concern as successive vice chancellors of the university, had at different fora pushed for the release of the grant to enable the institution address critical challenges confronting it.
Luke, a former member of the House of Representatives and former speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, said that the alumni association through several advocacies, had made a case for the release of the take-off grant but all the pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
He called on all alumni members to join hands with the executives to address other critical concerns of the institution, adding that “we have also tirelessly advocated for the release of the university’s take-off grant, pending since 1991and increased federal government support for our university
“We call on all alumni to join hands with the executives to establish exchange programme for the students with other institutions globally, support the completion of on- going projects and partner in developing secure infrastructure for electronic voting in the upcoming election.”
Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, who is also an alumnus of the university, challenged members of the alumni association to contribute to the development of their alma mater
Gov. Eno, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, stated that it’s a misnomer for members of the alumni association to make progress in life, while the training institution is in a state of decay.
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He said alumni all over the world play crucial roles in the development of their alma mater after graduation, adding that abandoning their alma mater is tantamount to pushing down the ladder used in climbing up.
“This reunion shouldn’t stop with the exchange of banters, delivering of speeches, recounting of fond memories, clinking 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,” Gov. Eno stated
