By Ife Osemedua
Amidst public outrage over the controversial appointment of a legion of aides after her recent election, the Vice President of the University of Uyo Students’ Union Government, Miss Blessing Jaja, has reversed the outrageous appointments.
She also apologized for offending the sensibility of many who had queried the propriety of her curious action.
In a press statement on Thursday, October 14, 2021, the student union leader explained that her motive was merely to carry along her friends and supporters, who had assisted her during her campaigns, in order to give them the opportunity to play creative roles in the leadership of the union.
Miss Jaja said, “Upon my swearing-in on the 4th of October 2021, I had proceeded to publish a list of teammates comprising eighteen of my friends who in the said list were labelled as my aides in various concerns.
“This was purely a product of my zeal to appreciate these innovative persons for supporting me through the electioneering period and expose them to micro governance with no monetary benefits attached to it; and also seek their voluntary partnership in the fulfilment of my very modest objectives and vision as the Vice-President of the Students’ Union of the University of Uyo.
“The said publication has however been roundly criticised and excoriated, and I have been made to see reasons such publication was not in the best interest of the Students’ Union and the University as a whole.
“Consequently, I rescind the appointment list; I hereby yield to superior counsel and apologise, first to the Management of the University of Uyo, the Students’ Union, my teammates, fellow students and all other persons who may have seen the publication in the negative light.
“I do however hope to work with all my friends and other partners who will be available to support my course throughout my tenure in office as I have always believed that no leader succeeds as an island.
“To those who found fault in my action, I love you, and to those who stood by me, I love you more. Both sets of persons have exposed me to the fact that as a leader, I have my primary Constituency as my watchdog.”