The National President of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi Alumni Association (JOSTUMAA), Theophilus Ukaa, has revealed that 317 candidates were recently recruited as both academic and non academic staff by the institution. He highlighted that out of this figure, 70 were first class graduates from the university who had previously been unemployed.
Ukaa disclosed that one of the beneficiaries, Ugwuoke Ejike, who graduated from the Department of Biochemistry, had previously worked as a bus conductor due to a lack of job opportunities. He commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof Isaac Idoko, for the massive recruitment of old students.
“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 is on record that out of the over 300 candidates recruited, 80% are academic staff. Out of the 80% academic staff, 80% are graduates from our alma mater with over 70 First Class recruited in various Colleges and Departments,” Ukaa stated.
He noted that the exercise would ensure knowledge retention and facilitate a systematic takeover of leadership in the university.
Speaking through the National President at the maiden orientation, the Vice Chancellor advised the new staff to concentrate on their responsibilities and pursue further education. “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,” Idoko remarked.
The event featured paper presentations on academic progression and ethics. Prof Simon Ejembi, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, urged the new members to avoid isolation and embrace collaboration.
“JOSTUM is you, Alma Maya, your mother, develop her,” Ejembi advised.
Branch Chairman of JOSTUMAA, Dr Kumator Taku, pledged total support to the newly engaged members. He assured them that the branch would serve as a platform for welfare and professional solidarity. Earlier, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr Rachael Duche, described the event as a celebration of continuity where former students return to serve the institution that shaped them.
