The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Uyo Branch, has granted over N1.7 million in scholarships to 15 financially challenged students who have excelled in their academic pursuits. The announcement was made during the Heroes’ Day Celebration held at the university on Monday, where past leaders of the union were also honored.
The union’s National President, Prof Emmanuel Osadeke, commended the awardees for their dedication and selfless service to the union, despite the challenges they encountered. He urged them to remain committed to the cause of advancing education.
During the ceremony, heroes’ awards were conferred on past leaders who navigated the union through challenging periods in the branch’s history. Prof Osadeke encouraged both past and present union leaders to stand against perceived injustices, particularly those related to the alleged misuse of staff employment by vice chancellors.
He expressed concern about the employment process in universities, noting that in the past six to 10 years, no university has advertised job vacancies, yet staff strength has tripled. Prof Osadeke raised alarm over the appointment of individuals who lack academic qualifications, turning university employment into what he termed “constituency projects.”
The ASUU president emphasized the need to reverse this trend and restore sanity to the university system. He praised the heroes honored during the event for their sacrifices, including termination of appointments, salary seizures, demotions, and other challenges faced for speaking truth to power.
Prof Desmond Wilson, a retired Professor of Ethnocomunicology, delivered a keynote address, lamenting the difficulties faced by the union due to fifth columnists and government-employed agents causing confusion. He urged ASUU members to remain selfless and committed in their efforts to improve Nigerian universities.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, represented by Prof Ben Etuk, commended ASUU for its selfless service to humanity, acknowledging the union’s role in enhancing the welfare of university staff.
In response, Ekpo Friday, one of the student beneficiaries of the ASUU-UUB scholarship award, expressed gratitude, describing the gesture as a morale booster for indigent students to focus on their studies.
Prof Opeyemi Olajide, the acting Chairperson, highlighted that the scholarships aimed to support academically excellent students in completing their courses of study. Notable figures honored for their selfless service included Dr Etop Ndiyo, Prof Desmond Wilson, Prof Edet Akpan, Prof Joseph Ushie, Prof Aniesua Essiet, and Prof Ashong Ashong