The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Prof. Francisca Bassey, has commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for his unwavering commitment to educational development, expressing confidence that his administration will continue to strengthen reforms capable of producing the next generation of leaders for Cross River State.
Prof. Bassey gave the commendation while delivering the keynote address titled, “From Beneficiaries to Partners: How the People of Cross River State Can Sustain and Deepen Governor Bassey Otu’s Educational Reforms, Using the University of Cross River State as a Benchmark,” at the 2026 Cross River Political Advocacy Summit held at the Pearl Ballroom of the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted Governor Otu’s longstanding commitment to the institution, recalling that as a Senator he facilitated the construction of the University’s Administrative Building, the largest edifice on campus.
“If he could do this when he was not a Governor, you cannot imagine what he will keep doing as Governor,” she remarked.
She also applauded the Governor for implementing the new minimum wage for UNICROSS staff, initiating efforts to address the concerns of the University’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), improving the institution’s internal road network, and supporting the successful National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation exercise that secured full accreditation for 17 academic programmes.
According to Prof. Bassey, Governor Otu’s investments in education reflect a deliberate commitment to nurturing young people who will provide future leadership for the state. She reaffirmed the University’s readiness to sustain its partnership with the State Government in raising academic standards and producing globally competitive graduates.
The Vice Chancellor stressed that the responsibility for sustaining educational reforms extends beyond government, calling for stronger collaboration among educational institutions, communities, parents, alumni, civil society organisations and the private sector.
She described education as a shared responsibility that flourishes through transparency, accountability, stakeholder engagement and active citizen participation, adding that UNICROSS provides a practical model of the partnerships required for sustainable educational development.
Prof. Bassey urged members of the University community to uphold the values of hard work, discipline, integrity and merit, while rejecting practices capable of undermining academic excellence. She also appealed to host communities to support government in protecting educational infrastructure and encouraged civil society groups to sustain advocacy for improved standards and accountability within the education sector.
The Vice Chancellor further challenged the private sector to complement government’s efforts through research grants, infrastructure development and internship opportunities for students, while calling on UNICROSS alumni to embrace a stronger culture of giving.
“Imagine what will happen if every graduating class of the University of Cross River State adopted a single project,” she said.
Highlighting efforts to expand institutional partnerships, Prof. Bassey disclosed that the University has entered into collaborations with Zenith Bank, the Bank of Industry and Skyrun to support various developmental initiatives.
She also drew attention to the welfare of lecturers, noting that many academics make significant personal sacrifices in pursuit of professional development and quality teaching. Recounting the story of a lecturer who resigned after witnessing a professor fall from a motorcycle because he could no longer maintain his vehicle, she said the incident underscored the need for improved welfare and motivation for university teachers.
The Vice Chancellor also outlined reforms introduced by the current UNICROSS management, including the inauguration of the maiden Staff Week to recognise outstanding employees, the sponsorship of 44 staff members to an international conference in Cape Verde through TETFund, the deployment of an enhanced results portal that enables students to access their results promptly, and the introduction of virtual Senate meetings to reduce travel costs across the University’s three campuses.
She maintained that the progress recorded at UNICROSS under Governor Otu’s administration demonstrates the value of collaboration between government and stakeholders, expressing optimism that sustained partnerships would further strengthen the University’s contribution to educational excellence and the sustainable development of Cross River State.
Earlier, the summit was declared open on behalf of Governor Bassey Edet Otu by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, who also unveiled the 2026 Political Advocacy Summit Magazine. He underscored the importance of sustained engagement between government and the people, describing continuous feedback as critical to strengthening governance and ensuring that public policies respond effectively to the aspirations of citizens.
In her welcome address, the Chief Host and Special Adviser to the Governor on Content Development and Archiving, Ms. Beatrice Akpala, said the summit was conceived to promote active citizen participation and deepen democratic governance through sustained interaction between government and the people.
Other presentations were delivered by the Commissioner for Education, Senator Prof. Stephen Odey; former Military Administrator of Kwara State, Col. Pam Ogar; and the Vice Chairman of the Cross River State Economic and Intelligence Team, Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo, who examined various issues relating to education, governance and sustainable development.
The Chairman of the UNICROSS Governing Council, Ntufam Dr. Fidelis Ugbo, alongside other distinguished guests, also attended the summit, which ended with renewed calls for stronger collaboration among government, institutions and citizens to sustain educational reforms across Cross River State.
By Kingsley Agim
