By:  Vincent Aluu 

Rt. Hon, Onofiok Luke, the new National President of the University of Uyo Alumni Association has promised better days for ex-students of the University of Uyo. Luke made this pledge yesterday January 31, 2020 during the special congress. The event which held at the 1000 seater capacity TETFund Conference Hall, Permanent site of University of Uyo witnessed a massive crowd in attendance. The congress is coming barely few weeks after Luke took over the reins of leadership of the Body. He called on all former students to partner him for a reconciled, repositioned and refreshed Association stressing the need to chart a new course for the alma mater and ensure that the lost glory of the ivory towers is reinstated.

“Great Tuskers…. Ivory! Today I stand tall knowing too well that you all are ready and willing to partner my administration for a reconciled, repositioned and refreshed UNIUYO Alumni Association: an association that we will all be proud of, an association that will make our dear alma mater – great University of Uyo… proudly great! An association that truly belongs to you and I. It is time we roll up our sleeves, get into the muddy gutter to clear the debris that has been in the wheel of progress of our great alma matter. There can be no better time than now to be part of this association.”

Luke reiterated the resolve of his administration to do things differently; run an open door government laced with probity, transparency, accountability and humanity.

“As a team, we will run an, inclusive, accountable and transparent Alumni Association which shall ensure all matters are conducted in line with popular will and utmost probity. We will also ensure that all the lofty ideas and initiatives left by preceding administrations for the benefit of Alumni and our Alma Mater. Feel free to contact us with useful input and programmes that will benefit all of us. Together, let us build a Uniuyo of our dream. God bless us all”

Recall that few weeks ago, members of the Uniuyo Alumni Association went to the polls to elected new leadership of the body. The seamless election produced member representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Onofiok Akpan Luke as national president.
In his inaugural speech after the general election and swearing-in, Luke pledged to reposition the Association, establish new chapters, run an all-inclusive government assuring that his administration will pursue four cardinal goals.

“Let me thank all of you for electing me as your new President. This trust that you have given me will not be taken lightly. We are going to pursue reconciliation. Genuine reconciliation so that we have all hands on deck on this new administration so that we can give back to this institution that has given greatly to us, that has given us the certificate which we have used as foundation to pursue our lives’ endeavours. The new administration will be run on the core visions of inclusion, growth, reconciliation and expansion. This is not an executive committee that will leave anyone behind. This is because all we hope to achieve will need the robust support of every executive and member of this Association.”

The former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly further added that it is heartwarming to see even those who purchased the nomination forms to contest but not cleared to contest already closing ranks with him to building an inclusive Alumni Association. He promised that such sacrifice and peaceful disposition is appreciated and acknowledged.

Speaking further, Luke said, “we are going to work towards the expansion of chapters. We are already talking to our friends within the country, across the states of the Federation.  We are going to use the network of all of us that are going to be members of this Exco and all of us seated in this hall today to ensure we have chapters in America, South America, North America, Europe, Asia and Middle East. We are going to work on the expansion of those chapters.  We have persons who are ready and willing to contribute to the growth of this organization”
Luke promised that his administration will embark on strategic documentation by developing a portal to warehouse data base of all persons who have graduated from the institution right from the days of Unicross in 1983 to the days of University of Uyo from 1991.

Also elected to serve in the Executive Committee were: Dr Godwin Akpan-Deputy National President, Dr. Jude Iwok – Vice President East, Olawale Maku as Vice President West, while Dr Essien Akpanuko is to serve as National Secretary.   Others also elected and sworn in to serve include Mfon Essien, who will serve as the Assistant Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong as National Publicity Secretary, Samuel Gregory Effiong as Treasurer, Ekong Eshiet as Internal Auditor, while Uduak Akai will serve as the Director of Organization.

Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, a graduate of Law from the University of Uyo, had served the institution as President of the Student Union Government and later President Nigerian Youth Parliament. He has also served as a two term member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency and Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. He presently represents Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is the Chairman Committee on Judiciary. It is believed that Luke’s wealth of experience and that of members of the executive council will steer the Association to greater heights.