By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The National President of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) Alumni Association, Dr Peter Iyali, has said the institution and its alumni body have every reason to celebrate despite their relatively young age, highlighting the association’s growing contributions to the university’s development.
In a statement ahead of the university’s 24th anniversary and the alumni association’s 14th anniversary, Iyali noted that UNICROSS, formerly Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), was established in August 2002 following the merger of the Polytechnic, Calabar, the College of Education, Akamkpa, and Ibrahim Babangida College of Agriculture, Ovonum, Obubra.
He explained that while the university’s first graduates emerged in the 2006/2007 academic session, the alumni association was inaugurated about five years later and has since embarked on several intervention projects aimed at improving the institution.
According to him, the association has donated books and laptop computers, implemented scholarship programmes, renovated university facilities, provided a borehole and commenced the construction of an Alumni Centre, although the project has been slowed by internal challenges.
Iyali disclosed that the association is preparing to launch another strategic intervention project, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the growth of its alma mater.
He observed that the university, being relatively young, has produced only one professor from among its graduates, while many pioneer alumni are still building their careers, a situation he said has naturally limited the level of support members can currently provide.
The alumni president also reflected on the university’s unique history, noting that it was created through the merger of older institutions whose graduates have become established in various fields. He said repeated efforts to unite those graduates under the UNICROSS Alumni Association had yielded limited success but expressed optimism that they would eventually organise themselves and contribute to the development of the institution.
Iyali stressed that giving back to one’s alma mater should not be measured solely by financial donations or infrastructure projects, insisting that efforts aimed at addressing systemic challenges and strengthening the university’s foundation are equally significant.
While acknowledging that the association is still evolving, he said its modest achievements have attracted recognition from more established alumni bodies, adding that members remain determined to expand their impact.
“We are not yet where we aspire to be, but we have made a promising start. Building a solid foundation is never easy, yet we are moving steadily in the right direction,” Iyali said.
He reaffirmed the association’s resolve to continue learning from older alumni organisations while working towards making UNICROSS one of Nigeria’s foremost universities through sustained support from its graduates.
