THEME : Building a Stronger Relationship between Alumni Association and the University 22nd April 2017@ Civil Service Auditorium, State Secretariat Complex Uyo.
ARRIVALS AND CHECK INS :This took place basically on Friday 21st with delegates coming in from 14 state Chapters.
The main accommodation was at De Milton hotel Taf plaza close nearly opposite inspiration fm 105.9 commercial office off Aka - Etinan Road. As the delegates came in, one thing was obvious. The love and zeal for the Alma Mata among the eighties graduands was glaring.
Professor this Dr that from the South East and South West. Grand fathers, grand mothers. Surprisingly, Edo and Cross River states did not send in delegates. All through the event, I met only three nineties students
ROAD WORK/ENDURANCE TREK: This took place in the morning of Saturday 22nd. It was here that the theme of the conference was well demonstrated as the President of the the Alumni Engr Sampson Ngenebara F SERIES and the current Vice Chancellor University of Port Harcourt Professor Ndowa E. S. Lale who had arrived before all as early as 7am led the endurance trek which started at Ibom plaza and terminated at Ibom international stadium without betraying age or stress of their offices.
We actually terminated at the gates of the stadium having not made prior booking to enter.
NATIONAL CONVENTION : This took place at the Civil Service auditorium. Here again the Chairman of the occasion and Vice Chancellor University of Port Harcourt made all proud. The keynote Speaker His Excellency Obong Nsima Ekere(MD NDDC) did not disappoint.
He went through history of alumni associations worldwide and ended by challenging all UNIPORT graduates to give back to the Alma Mata. He landed squarely.
The address by UNIPORT foundation brought many to tears as the foundation held the audience spellbound on the giant strides made by the foundation in meeting its vision and mission objectives. So much has been achieved in terms of form and content.
From Ofirima as the only outstanding structure in the nineties, 65 of such imposing edifice are said to have been built and university thoroughly expanded with all facilities in their permanent buildings.
Teaching and research has been entrenched and the University has won many international awards and prizes and gained commendable ranking in the comity of Universities worldwide and in Africa.
The President of University of Uyo Alumni Professor Umoh gave his goodwill message to the convocation and extolled the giant strides made by UNIPORT alumni Association which he had close working relationship with when he went to SPDC for sabbatical leave.
The high point of the open session was the address by the first Student Union president of the university of Port Harcourt Dr Macaulay.
He took all along memory lane of how the prefix Unique was added to UNIPORT and UNIPORT involvement in the Ali must go riots of 1978.
At the end of this session, special guest left and nd members went for the AGM.
Elections were conducted and Chief Chris Adokeme became the new National President and Pastor William Ale became the National Secretary. Our own Citizen Ewitat became the first National Vice president.
Members of Board of Trustees were equally elected on a state basis. It was on this sensitive issue that Akwa Ibom delegates exhibited the highest maturity and comportment. I commend them all.
I will like to comment that what was glaring once again is the failure of youth of age 35 to 50 to take up the mantle of leadership,or even to participate. Another was Akwa Ibom constituting the minority in attendance despite being the host.
The efforts put in by the National Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee headed by President Akwa Ibom state Chapter Engr Offiong E Bassey are highly commendable.
Engr Chris Udi the engine room thank you very much for taking the Alumni business as a personal matter.,handling it with so much dedication, hardwork and seriousness.
My friend Bassey Ibok thanks for being a great company. I look forward to the with the photograph we took.
I thank Deaconess Eno Egbe our state Vice President and university of Port Harcourt salt of 1984 for her support and motherly role.
I thank every member of Akwa Ibom state Chapter who made out time to attend.
UNIPORT Alumni Association has been added to the long list of associations, professional bodies, and religious organisations that have enjoyed Akwa Ibom hospitality, the mystery of AMAZING AKWA IBOM.
The custodian of the Amazing Akwa Ibom, an alumni was absent. I will address that in future.
In summary, it was a fun filled weekend when and where business met pleasure.
Dr David Emmanuel Udo
Social /Welfare Secretary
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