University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) Alumni Association has congratulated Prof. Austin Angba, Vice Chancellor of the University for the giant strides recorded since assuming office one year ago.
The Association, in a Statement issued in Calabar by its National President, Comrade Eyam Abeng said that Prof. Angba has proven his doubters wrong with the transformation he has brought to the University in such a short time.
The President noted that the VC has justified why the visitor to the University and Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Ben Ayade took more than one year in appointing a replacement for the former VC, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh.
He maintained that, with the performances of the former VC and the peculiarities of the challenges facing the University, the Governor made the right decision by going against certain sentiments advanced by some interest groups to appoint a young and vibrant administrator like the current VC.
Highlighting some of the achievements of the VC, he said that, “as an association and critical stakeholder, we are happy that the VC in just one year, has improved the security architecture of the University with better equipments for security personnel” .
Abeng added that, “the construction of better drainage to arrest flooding in staff quarters is one of his most underrated achievements because flooding has been one of the major problems in the staff quarters. Staff won’t give in their best if they don’t have the enabling environment to work and live in.
The VC has always taken seriously, the issue of students welfare. We’re aware that water and electricity supplies in hostels have improved remarkably in the past one year “.
The Alumni President recounted that,” during the long wait for the appointment of a substantive VC, our position was always that a good administrator that understands the peculiar problems of the University was what the school needed. A lot of people misunderstood that to mean that we were not supporting the campaign for the appointment of a Professor within the University.
Today, when we look back and assess what the Prof. Angba’s administration has achieved despite the paucity of funds, we feel proud that we put the interest of the University ahead of other parochial sentiments.
We know the next years will be amazing. We’re confident that by the time he’ll complete two years, people may not remember what he has done now because his strides will be too many to mention. We congratulate him and wish him the very best of luck in his remaining years”.
