Alumni national convention
NATIONAL BODY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR ALUMNI INAUGURATED- Edafekpuvie Duke Michael
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. It has also been such proven true that the level of success in the future depends on the determination and dedication that surrounds the initial preparation.The University of Calabar (UNICAL), has since her inception in 1975 been producing great people of high calibre spread across the nation and in diaspora. The enormous contributions of these great ambassadors in the socio political development of this great nation can indeed never be over emphasized.
Considering the fact that the university of calabar (a citadel of learning) has been in existence for the past 33 years, one would expect that every level of organization should have been on ground, especially the Alumni. It was on this ground that the "malabite spirit of unionism", once again visited members of the Unical Alumni in their various chapters to call for a greater level of reunion among members. This call was geared towards the formation of the national body that will over see the total welfare of member state across the federation and indeed those in diaspora. Record has it that this historic journey towards national unity of the university of calabar alumni, dated back to 2006, during the Prof. Ivara Esu led administration as the vice chancellor of the university of calabar. His unrelenting sensitization campaign regarding the need for a national body, forges ahead into the present Prof. Bassey Asuquo's led administration that later saw the formation of the contact group with Prof. U.J. Ekpe as chairman of the group.
The contact group, in conjunction with the offices of the registrar and student affairs, was mandated to reach out to ex-malabites/malabresses as possible, ,in order to create a full and well organized national body of the university of calabar Alumni Association.Although state chapters have been fully operational, the immense benefits and prestige of having a national body could not just be thrown aside. This led to the formation of a protem national executive, with Mr Kennedy Dike, the president of Rivers State chapter as the protem president, pending a subsequent election and inauguration of a full time national executive.
Just like an expectant mother, the protem president, coupled with other protem executives and members gearing toward for the birth of the National body, Unanimously adopted 14th-17th February 2008 to hold her national convention.
On Thursday the 14th of February 2008, the long awaited kickoff day for the national convention eventually came into being, with the arrival of delegates. This was later followed by a welcome cocktail party.
The arrival of delegates and accreditation followed by a press briefing, took place on the second day of the convention (friday 15th February 2008) at the unical hotels. The meeting that lasted till about midnight, saw members debate on issues, at the sametime making ammendments before the ratification of the national constitution. It was indeed a hectic day as delegates retired to their suites only to reconverge at about 11am the following day (Saturday 16th February 2008), to continue on the amendment procedures, at the senate chambers of the university of calabar.
One important issue that really lingered was the question on whether a representative at the national level should be from the sub or state chapters as the case may be, since there exists sub-chapters in some states. At the end of the debate, it was unanimously agreed by members that representation at national level should be from the state chapter , and in situation where more than one chapter exists in a state, it should be zoned.It was also agreed that the national executive council (NEC) will determine the dues to be paid by members on the basis of graduation year. This was aimed at providing enough advantage of the admission of new members.
Kudos must therefore be given to Barrister Eme Otrofarrowei, the national financial secretary protem council and also the president of the warri chapter, for his immense effort towards the successful drafting of the national constitution, in his capacity as the chairman of the constitution drafting committee.
At about 1.30pm on Saturday 16th February 2008, the amendment of the constitution came to rest with a subsequent formation of the electoral committee and a sub committee to look into the zoning arrangement. The electoral committee has Prof. U.J.Ekpe and Prof. Nwachukwu as chairman and deputy chairman respectively.
Within the hours of 2.00pm and 4.00pm, the elections were conducted with the following persons emerging as winners as announced by the electoral committee chairman:
President: Mr Kennedy Dike, President; Rivers state chapter
Vice President 1: Barr. Enie Otrofomourei; President, Warri Chapter
Vice President 2: Dr Fadamana E. Ndekhedehe; President, Uyo Chapter
Vice President 3: Barr. N.H. Nwankwo; President Owerri chapter (Imo State)
Secretary General: Maxwell Eba
Asst.Secretary General: Hon. Appah Livingstone; President Asaba chapter (Delta State)
Treasurer: Mr Akparahwa Etop-Imo Okono
Financial Secretary: Chief Moses Ati
Social Secretary: Mrs Alice Akem
Public Relations Officer: Barr. Omoragbon
Provost: Barr. Emeka Nwaneri
Legal Advicer: Barr. Richard Ogbeche; Ogoja chapter
At last, between the hours of 6pm and 7pm, delegates began to assemble at the unical hotels for the dinner/award night, to mark the long awaited historic event.The dinner/award night had in attendance Prof. U.J.Ekpe as chairman of the occasion supported by Prof. Nwachukwu, His Eminence, Prelate of the Methodist Church (Lagos) Dr Sunday Olatunji Makinde, the DVC academics, Prof. Friday Mbon. Other recipients of the awards included Mr John Ogar Odey; Minister of Information and communication of the federation, Barr. Joe Odey Agi (SAN); the first Law graduate from Unical to be confirmed a SAN, and deputy governor of Cross River State, Mr Efiok Cobham.The high point of the occasion was the administration of oath of office by the newly elected National executive council members. The oath was administered by Barr. Peter Asemota . This was immediately followed by the dinner, with the unical band thrilling the audience with sonorous music presentation.
The convention finally came to an end with a thanksgiving service on Sunday, the 17th of February 2008 at the Chapel of Redemption.