The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Prof. Francisca Bassey, has received the backing of youth leaders across Cross River State and been honoured as the Most Youth-Friendly Vice Chancellor for her commitment to student welfare, youth development and inclusive leadership.
The recognition came when a delegation of youth leaders led by the State Youth Leader, Comrade Emmanuel Olayi, paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor. The delegation comprised members of the State Executive Council, Local Government Coordinators and other youth representatives, including the Chairman of the Councillors Forum, Hon. Princess Magdalene Ekpe, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Comrade Elvis Enya.
The youth leaders commended Prof. Bassey for what they described as her responsive and youth-centred leadership, expressing confidence in her administration and pledging their support for the peace, stability and development of the University.
They assured the Vice Chancellor that the youth would not tolerate acts capable of disrupting peace within the institution, while pledging to work with the University Management to safeguard the peaceful academic environment and promote responsible youth participation.
Speaking during the visit, the Postgraduate Students’ President, Comrade Samuel Bassey, recalled that Prof. Bassey had previously been his lecturer at the University of Calabar, describing her as a diligent and dedicated teacher whose concern for students’ welfare and intellectual development had remained evident in her leadership as Vice Chancellor.
He said, “The qualities Prof. Bassey demonstrated as a lecturer, particularly her dedication, discipline and concern for the development of young people, have continued to manifest in her leadership as Vice Chancellor.”
The delegation also appreciated the Vice Chancellor’s support for their youth initiatives, including voluntary environmental sanitation exercises, youth mobilisation programmes and activities marking National Youth Week. They pledged to deepen collaboration with her administration, particularly in tackling the growing challenge of drug abuse among young people in Cross River State and within the University community.
Responding, Prof. Bassey expressed appreciation to the youth leaders for the visit, the award and the confidence reposed in her administration. She reaffirmed her belief in the potential of young people, stressing that sustainable development could only be achieved when youths were adequately equipped with quality education, appropriate values, opportunities and the support required to realise their potential.
The Vice Chancellor said, “My belief in the youth is unwavering. When we build the youth, we are building the future of the University, Cross River State and Nigeria.”
She assured the delegation of her continued commitment to initiatives that promote youth welfare, student development and responsible citizenship, particularly efforts aimed at addressing drug abuse and other social challenges confronting young people.
Prof. Bassey further underscored her leadership philosophy, “Build the youth, build the nation,” stressing that investment in the intellectual, moral and professional development of young people remained a strategic investment in the future.
By Kingsley Agim
