Uniuyo Alumni: Prof Edemekong, others felicitate Adiaiduo, Thomas over victories
By Our Correspondent
In a week filled with celebration, pride, and high expectations, the newly inaugurated leaders of the University of Uyo Alumni Association have continued to receive glowing tributes from academic, professional, and governmental institutions. Among the top recipients of these accolades are Comrade Ekerete Adiaiduo, the newly elected 6th National President, and Thomas Thomas, the new National Publicity Secretary.
In a professionally designed congratulatory message released by the College of Personal Aides to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the team—under the leadership of Dr. Ndueso Essien—saluted Thomas Thomas for his “remarkable election as the Publicity Secretary of the University of Uyo Alumni Association.”
The message, signed by Andy Nkim, Publicity Secretary of the College, reads in part:
“Your emergence to this noble office is a clear recognition of your credibility, dedication, and exceptional communication prowess. We are confident that you will bring innovation, clarity, and purpose to the role, projecting the ideals of the Alumni Association with distinction.”
The aides described Thomas as a “distinguished colleague” and assured him of their pride and trust in his continued “excellence and integrity” in public service.
This expression of solidarity was further reinforced by an emotionally resonant and historically anchored letter by Associate Professor Obong Nkereuwem David Edemekong of the Department of History and International Studies, University of Uyo.
Professor Edemekong, himself a key figure in the evolution of the Alumni Association, showered praise on Thomas, saying:
“Your appointment is a tribute to your enduring commitment to service, intellectual distinction, and professional excellence… Your credentials speak boldly for the responsibility now placed upon your shoulders.”
He added that Thomas, a known scholar in African History and Chieftaincy Studies, as well as a trusted media aide to the Governor, was “well-positioned to reposition the Alumni Association’s publicity architecture and amplify the UNIUYO brand within the national and global alumni community.”
Equally powerful was Edemekong’s separate letter to Comrade Ekerete Adiaiduo, the new National President. He described the moment as “historic,” and the office as “one that combines both burden and brilliance.”
He wrote: “Your emergence is not an accident of timing but a product of tested commitment and collective aspiration. You inherit a legacy forged in vision, sustained in service, and elevated through sacrifice.”
He paid tribute to the past leaders of the Alumni Association—from the foundational era under Obong Ide Owodiong Idemeko, through the consolidation years of Hon. Hogan and Prof. Gabriel Umoh, to the most recent tenure of Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, whose transition was described as “dignified… with courage, clarity, and care.”
Calling for collective involvement, Professor Edemekong urged all alumni to become “strategic networkers in the alumni ecosystem,” emphasizing that “every time is alumni time, and every space is alumni space.”
The twin congratulatory messages reflect the growing relevance of the University of Uyo Alumni Association as a platform for leadership, public engagement, and institutional advancement. They also cast a spotlight on the expectations ahead.
In the words of Professor Edemekong:
“Let us raise our institutional flag high and proclaim in one voice: our bond is unbreakable, our story unfinished, and our best chapters yet to be written.”
As the new Executive Council assumes office, many within and beyond the Uniuyo community are watching with hope—and no small measure of confidence—that this new chapter will indeed be one of innovation, unity, and lasting impact.
