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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
New members of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi Alumni Association (JOSTUMAA) have been inducted into the association with a call on them to adopt the culture of the institution embedded in innovation, professionalism, collaboration, excellence and mutual trust.
This is just as the National President of JOSTUMAA, Theophilus Ukaa, has hailed the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Isaac Itodo and his management team for the massive recruitment of it’s old students as academic and non academic staff.
JOSTUM Vice Chancellor, Prof Isaac Itodo, who made the called during the maiden orientation and reception of new alumni members on Thursday, advised them to concentrate on their responsibilities, abide by the rules and regulations governing the school and acquire further knowledge to transform themselves into better people in the next few years.
Itodo who spoke through the National President of JOSTUMAA, Theophilus Ukaa said “As a graduate assistant, your responsibility is to give yourself to go back to school and study. Equip yourself so that you can become better and come back and teach. So this first stage is for them to basically study for their good and good of the school.”
Speaking as the National President of JOSTUMAA, Theophilus Ukaa said the event was to celebrate with them, get them reintegrated into the system and to also appreciate the efforts of the Vice-Chancellor for accepting to collaborate with the Alumni Association in coming up with a development that will transform the institution.
He disclosed that while 317 candidates were recruited as both academic and non academic staff, 70 of them were first class graduates from the University who have been wasting on the street without jobs, one of them, Ugwuoke Ejike who graduated from the department of Biochemistry but took to bus conductor due to unemployment.
Ukaa said “this is the first time in the history of the University that there is one single massive recruitment of graduates and predominantly, the graduates from our alma mater. It on records that out of the over 300 candidates recruited, 80 percents are academic staff. Out of the 80 percent academic staff, 80 percents are graduates from our alma mater with over 70 First Class recruited in various Colleges and Departments.
“This exercise will surely go a long way in not only ensuring knowledge retention in the university, but will also ensure a gradual and systematic take-over of control in the effective leadership and management of the university in no distance time.”
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He welcomed them to the fold pledging to support them grow and reach their full potentials.
Branch Chairman of JOSTUMAA, Dr Kumator Taku pledge total support to the newly engaged alumni members saying “As a Branch, we are here to support you. We serve as a platform for engagement, welfare, and professional solidarity. We are committed to ensuring that your working environment is conducive, your rights are protected, and your voices are heard. I urge you to actively participate in branch activities, ask questions, and seek guidance whenever necessary. You are not alone on this journey.
The orientation of the new members featured paper presentations including “Academic Progression and Growth in the University System: The Right Way,” by Prof. John Igoli, a Director of Research & Innovation JOSTUM, “Ethics in the University System – The Rudiments, the Pitfalls,” by Prof. Simon Ejembi, the Dean, Students’ Affairs, JOSTUM while Prof. Alexander Wuanor, Head of Department (HOD), Animal Nutrition JOSTUM, also presented a paper on “Strengthening University Governance through Alumni Participation.
Prof John Igoli, who welcomed the new alumni members urged them to see JOSTUMAA as their mother who wants to see them grow. He advised them to listen to advices, dream big and work hard towards achieving them, to be reliable, submissive, teachable, and hungry to effect change in the University System and environment.
Also speaking, Professor Simon Ejembi said the University environment is a social system and a vibrant ecosystem where knowledge and ideas flows for the good of man and society.
Ejembi urged the new members not be work in isolation but in collaboration with others, to be committed to their work and avoid excessive assumptions, respect hierarchies, be reliable, have initiative, pursuit new skills, commit to integrity and accountability with high sense of responsibility. “JOSTUM is you alma Maya, your mother, develop her,” the e further advised.
In her welcome address earlier, the Chairman, Organizing Committee, Dr. Rachael Duche said the event is not only a formal welcome but also a celebration of continuity, a moment where former students return to serve the institution that contributed significantly to their academic and professional development.
She said “Your transition from students to members of staff represents a full circle of growth, responsibility, and commitment to excellence. The University has entrusted you with the noble responsibility of shaping minds, advancing research, and contributing to institutional development, and we are confident that you will justify this.”
She encouraged them to approach their new roles with dedication, integrity, and a passion for continuous learning, remembering that they are not only employees of the institution but also ambassadors of its legacy.
