The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has deepened its commitment to ethics and accountability with the conclusion of a two-day sensitisation programme organised in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Akwa Ibom State Office, Uyo.
The programme, which ended on Thursday, September 10, 2026, brought together teaching and senior non-teaching staff, Heads of Departments and other members of the University community, following the opening session attended by members of Management, Professors and Directors.
The ICPC delegation, led by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Mr Baba Alaro Shaiub, addressed participants on ethical conduct, abuse of authority, administrative discipline, information management and institutional effectiveness.
Declaring the second-day session open, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey, commended the ICPC team for the quality and relevance of its presentations and urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to their respective responsibilities.
She challenged staff to take personal responsibility for building a better University, stressing that continuous self-development, ethical conduct and collective commitment were essential to addressing institutional challenges.
“Staff must take personal responsibility for building a better University. We must continue to develop ourselves, conduct ourselves ethically and collectively commit to addressing the challenges confronting our institution,” Prof. Bassey said.
The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Shaiub, commended the Vice Chancellor for her commitment to the programme, describing her as a leader who genuinely cared about the development of her people. “I want to appreciate the Vice Chancellor for her commitment to this programme. She is a leader who genuinely cares about the development of her people,” he said.
In a presentation titled “Abuse of Power in Academia: Addressing Sexual Harassment, Extortion and Academic Victimisation,” the Head of the Legal Unit, ICPC Akwa Ibom State Office, Dr Kioba Kio Anabraba, examined abuse of authority and urged staff to maintain professional boundaries while supporting accessible and effective mechanisms for reporting misconduct.
The programme also addressed information management and communication, with the Deputy Director, Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA), and Director, Directorate of Linkages and Collaboration, University of Calabar, Dr Anam Ekpenyong Bassey, highlighting the importance of accurate, timely and properly managed information to institutional effectiveness.
Speaking on “Information Management, Communications and Record Administration,” Ekpenyong demonstrated how digital tools could improve communication, collaboration and records management, while Prof. Bassey disclosed, in response to a question, that Management was working towards making students’ transcripts accessible online.
The final presentation, delivered by retired Deputy Registrar of the University of Calabar, Barrister Emmanuel Ndiok, focused on “Administrative Discipline, Timeliness, Performance and Institutional Effectiveness,” with emphasis on self-discipline, professionalism, confidentiality, proper record keeping, respectful communication and efficient management of official information.
The programme concluded with closing remarks by the Registrar, Dr (Mrs) Catherine Ndifon, while the immediate past Head of Department of Industrial Chemistry, Dr Tabi Ntui, delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of the participants, as the University looks to translate the lessons into stronger ethical standards, accountability and improved service delivery.
By Kingsley Agim
