Former students want government to raise subvention for University of Cross River

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Dr Peter Iyali

By Akpan David, Calabar

Former students of University of Cross River State, (UNICROSS), have appealed to the state government to increase the monthly subvention to the university.

President of UNICROSS alumni Association, Dr Peter Iyali in a statement said the leadership of the association was also reaching out to prominent Cross Riverians of note to extend supports to the school.

He said this when they presented 50 bags of rice to ex-students working in the school for the yuletide and to cushion socioeconomic effects of the times.

“We have made appeals  to Governor Bassey Otu to consider an upward review of the government’s monthly subvention to the University.

“The varsity is challenged by paucity of funds which reason they owe their workers. this is why we call on the governor and concerned well-to-do dignitaries to support the school.

 “During our campaigns, we said that even though the association is not a union, we’ll give our all to work to give back to our alma mater.  We’ll not forget our members who are genuinely in need. This, to us, is also the essence of an alumni association.”

“We are aware that you are owed some salaries, not because the management is unwilling to pay but because the finances are not just there. The subvention from the government can no longer carry the University because the institution is growing with new programs and the staff strength is expanding.”

He said, even if salaries were paid, the hard economic condition have made it difficult  to cater to the enormity of challenges facing the workers with meager salaries. 

He commended the Governor for the rehabilitation of both the internal and external roads within the institution.

“Governor Otu has been very generous to the University even before now.  He facilitated the beautiful edifice we’re using now as an administrative block.”

According  to him,  the deputy governor, Peter Odey was responsible for UNICROSS to become a conventional University.

Iyali expressed happiness that current Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh is former Vice-Chancellor of school, hoping that their appeal would therefore be facilitated.