Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to resolving the challenges confronting the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), promising improved infrastructure and sustained engagement with stakeholders as part of efforts to restore industrial harmony and strengthen the institution.
The Governor gave the assurance on Tuesday during a meeting with the University’s Management and the Students’ Union Government (SUG) at the Governor’s Office, where he reiterated his resolve to ensure that the state-owned university continues to grow in line with his administration’s People First agenda.
Leading the delegation, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey, thanked Governor Otu for granting the audience and for his unwavering support to the institution. She said the meeting afforded students the opportunity to engage directly with the Governor on issues affecting the university and appealed for continued government intervention.
Speaking on behalf of the students, SUG President, Comrade Favour Ogar, commended the Governor for his consistent commitment to the welfare of the university community, particularly the appointment of Prof. Bassey as Vice Chancellor and his prompt intervention following the recent road accident involving some UNICROSS students.
Responding, Governor Otu commended the Vice Chancellor and the University’s management for their resilience and dedication despite the institution’s challenges, noting that he had already been fully briefed on the issues and was committed to addressing them.
He disclosed that the Vice Chancellor had requested additional operational vehicles for the university and assured the delegation that the request would be granted. He also promised to equip the University’s Medical Centre to improve healthcare delivery for staff and students.
The Governor further assured the university community that his administration would address concerns over the institution’s road network, stressing that government would continue to invest in infrastructure capable of creating a more conducive teaching and learning environment.
Calling for collective responsibility, Governor Otu urged all stakeholders to make the necessary sacrifices for the continued growth and development of the university. He also announced plans to meet with the institution’s industrial unions as part of ongoing efforts to address their concerns and foster lasting industrial peace.
The meeting later continued behind closed doors with the Governor, the Vice Chancellor and other senior government officials, where discussions centred on practical measures for resolving the institution’s outstanding issues.
When the meeting ended, the Vice Chancellor and members of the university delegation emerged visibly delighted, a development that observers described as a positive signal in the ongoing efforts to address the concerns that culminated in the strike action by the UNICROSS branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The Governor’s direct engagement with students, his planned meeting with the university’s industrial unions and the sustained collaboration between the Cross River State Government and the University Management have raised fresh hopes for an amicable resolution of the dispute, paving the way for the restoration of normal academic activities in the best interest of staff, students and the university community.
By Kingsley Agim
