Former Dean of Student Affairs Calls for Revisit of Students' Association Constitutions

A former Dean of Student Affairs of CRUTECH (now UNICROSS), Professor Uduak Effiong, has called for a revisit of the constitutions of Students Union Governments as well as Faculty and Departmental Associations in Nigerian universities.

He made this call in a  message to the management of UNICROSS, through a WhatsApp message to Mr. Cornelius Ellah, Chairman of UNICROSS Media Team and Acting HoD of Department of Mass Communication.

The message was a reaction to a post on Mr, Ellah's WhatsApp status where Mr. Ellah showed a long list of appointments released by the President of a Students' Association.

 Mr Ellah stated in the WhatsApp post that some "leaders of tomorrow" seem to be more interested in assigning meaningless titles and offices to their supporters than in rendering selfless service to those who elected them.

In his reply to the post, Professor Effiong stated that: "The publication affords us the privilege to have an insight into the political thoughts of our future political leaders. Part of the mandate of Universities is to produce technocrats and leaders for the society. This is bad example of what is to come. So, how can we fix this trend on Campus? Revisit SUG/Faculty/Departmental Students Association Constitution! The Constitution should clearly stipulate what maximum number of appointees are allowed and into what offices, for Principal Officers of Unions on campus."

He added that: "Constitutions may not be perfect but can always be reviewed to make a system more functional and efficient. During my days as Dean, we had several reviews: rotational presidency and some key offices in Exco of SUG among the three Senatorial Districts of Cross Rivee State; CGPA cut-offs for different offices and other eligibility rules, including the adoption of aptitude testing as part of screening of candidates; e-voting, etc."

Professor Effiong submitted that: "Now that we are beginning to witness 'madness' in appointment of support officials, the relevant Constitutions may have to be reviewed to stem the trend.

This is exactly what we expect the National and State House of Assemblies to do to save our States and Nation from the trending 'madness'! I hope this would help."

Among other positions that he held in CRUTECH (now UNICROSS), Professor Uduak Effiong was Dean of Student Affairs from 2007 to 2014, Chairman of Certificate Verification Committee from 2014 to 2017 and member of the university's Governing Council from 2004 to 2014.

He currently serves as the Presiding Prelate of AME Zion Church, Eastern Africa Episcopal District.

By UNICROSS Media Team.