by By Elijah Ugani – Calabar
Prof. Offiong E. Offiong is an astute unionist of no mean repute. He has been consistently involved in the processes that led to the midwifing of both students unions during his undergraduate programme as well as other unions in the University of Calabar where he serves. As a student activist, he championed most of the students yearnings that relived the plight of students during his undergraduate programme.
As a member of the Academic Staff Union of University, University of Calabar Branch ASSU-UCB, he was elected Vice Chairman at age 30 and was reelect for a second term of four years following an excellent performance.
During which time, all the unions in the University collaborated and midwived the University of Calabar International Secondary School UCISS.
Prof. Offiong E. Offiong was elected Chairman, Academic Staff Union of University, University of Calabar Branch ASUU-UCB, in the year 2000 and was reelected in 2002 to serve another term of two years. During this period, ASUU-UCB made very positive impacts in the management of the university and in resolving all Labour related crisis.
The distinguished Prof. Offiong E. Offiong also served as JAC Chairman, comprising of (ASUU, SSANU & NASU), University of Calabar branch. During his tenure as Chairman, he established a welfare scheme for the branch to carter for members welfare needs such as weddings, child dedication and bereavement etc.
During this period, he introduced “computer loan scheme” which afforded members the opportunity to own their personal computers and became computer literate.
Prof. Offiong negotiated and signed the second Centre for Educational Services CES Agreement of the university and got all the entitlements owed members including handsome allowances for Lecturers involved in Consultancy Services/Part-Time lecturing.
As Chairman of ASSU-UCB, he was also the Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Calabar Zone, comprising of UNICAL, UNIUYO, IMSU, FUTO, UNIPORT and RSUST and as well NDU and CRUTECH where he midwived their charters into ASUU.
Prof. Offiong E. Offiong is the first Cross Riverian to be elected National Vice-President of ASUU. At which time he organized the first leadership training workshop for Chairman and Secretary of branches in ASUU.
Juxtaposing Prof. Offiong E. Offiong experience in the formation and service in the various unions he served previously, he very equipped with the technical, influential, managerial and developmental skills and prowess to reposition staff welfare and create job satisfaction as Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar.
