… to hand over renovated ELF Lecture Theatre
By Ime Silas
The University of Uyo Alumni Association is celebrating its first year in office with a major infrastructure gift to its alma mater. On Friday, 26th June 2026, the 6th National Executive Council, led by National President Comrade Ekerete Adiaiduo, will formally hand over the newly renovated ELF Lecture Theatre to the University of Uyo.
The handover event, themed “From Great Minds to Great Impact: The Place of Alumni Associations in Institutional Growth and National Transformation,” is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. prompt at the ELF Lecture Theatre, Main Campus, Nwaniba Road, Uyo.
According to a press statement signed by National Publicity Secretary, Thomas Thomas, PhD, the project underscores the Association’s commitment to institutional development and national progress.
“This milestone project reflects the vision and dedication of the current Alumni leadership in strengthening the bond between graduates and their alma mater while promoting a culture of service, impact, and collective responsibility,” the statement read.
The ELF Lecture Theatre renovation comes exactly one year after the inauguration of the 6th NEC. The Council has framed its tenure around giving back and creating sustainable structures that outlast its term. Restoring one of the university’s key lecture facilities fits that mandate directly, addressing space and learning environment needs for thousands of students and lecturers who use the venue daily.
Dignitaries expected at the ceremony include Professor Philip Afaha, Special Adviser to the Edo State Government, who will deliver the keynote address. He will speak on the critical role alumni associations play in advancing educational excellence, institutional sustainability, and national development. The topic is expected to draw attention to how graduates’ networks can move beyond social gatherings to become active partners in funding, mentoring, and policy advocacy for universities.
The 9th Substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Professor Chris Ekong, will attend as Guest of Honour. He will receive the renovated facility on behalf of the university community. His presence signals the institution’s recognition of alumni contributions as central to its growth strategy, especially at a time when public funding for tertiary education remains stretched.
Comrade Adiaiduo’s leadership has consistently pushed the message that alumni have a stake in the future of their schools. The theme for the anniversary points to that shift in thinking, from producing graduates to ensuring those graduates create measurable impact. Alumni associations across Nigeria are increasingly being called upon to bridge funding gaps, provide mentorship, and influence policies that affect teaching, research, and campus infrastructure.
The University of Uyo Alumni Association says the event is also an invitation to all members, friends of the university, education stakeholders, and the general public to witness what it calls “a historic celebration of achievement, legacy, and the future.” The Association is urging graduates to see service to their alma mater as a form of national service, since stronger universities produce graduates better equipped to drive Nigeria’s development.
The ELF Lecture Theatre handover is expected to set the tone for the next phase of projects under the 6th NEC. With one year down and more time to serve, the Council appears focused on consolidating its legacy through tangible projects rather than ceremonies alone. For the University of Uyo, the renovated theatre adds immediate value to teaching and learning. For the alumni body, it is proof that organized giving back can translate “Great Minds” into “Great Impact,” as their slogan declares.
Members of the public and alumni chapters nationwide have been cordially invited to join the anniversary and handover ceremony.
