Cross River Govt Debunks UNICROSS Okuku Relocation Rumours, Reaffirms Commitment to Campus By Fetus Ojedor

OKUKU, Cross River State – The Cross River State Government has dismissed as false and unfounded widespread rumours alleging plans to relocate the University of Cross River State 

His Excellency prince (Sen).Bassey Otu 
Executive Governor of Cross river state 

(UNICROSS), Okuku Campus, to the Cross River State University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa, reaffirming its commitment to the growth and expansion of the institution.

Prof Stephen Odey
Cross river state Commissioner for Education at the town hall meeting in Okuku

The clarification was made on Saturday during a town hall meeting held at the Mary Knoll College Multipurpose Hall in Okuku, Yala Local Government Area. The interactive session was led by the Commissioner for Education, Senator Prof. Stephen Odey, to address growing public concerns over the speculation.

Representing the Chairman of Yala Local Government Council, Dr Fred Okem, the Vice Chairman, Godwin Odama, welcomed participants and urged residents to rely on official information rather than rumours. He noted that the Commissioner had earlier issued a statement denying the alleged relocation and encouraged the public to seek clarification through appropriate government channels.

The traditional ruler of Okuku Kingdom, His Royal Highness Odaji Ipuole, disclosed that the rumour had prompted him to contact the Commissioner directly for clarification. Following the assurance that there was no plan to relocate the campus, the monarch apologised on behalf of the traditional institution for protests triggered by the misinformation and distanced the palace from the demonstrations.

While expressing appreciation for the clarification, the monarch appealed to the state government to strengthen the campus by providing additional infrastructure, facilities and academic personnel.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Odey described the relocation claim as "false, baseless and the handiwork of mischief makers" seeking to undermine the administration's developmental efforts in Yala and across the state.

He challenged anyone alleging that the government had approved the relocation to produce an official document to support the claim.

The Commissioner explained that, as the state's Commissioner for Education, he oversees more than 1,100 primary schools, over 300 secondary schools and dozens of technical institutions, stressing that any decision concerning the relocation of a state-owned university campus would pass through his office and the State Executive Council.

Hon Godwin Odama vice Chairman of Yala Local government area representing the Chairman at occasions 

"There is no official document anywhere suggesting that the government intends to relocate the Okuku Campus," he said, adding that Governor Bassey Edet Otu remains committed to the expansion and development of the institution.

To further demonstrate how government decisions are processed, Odey displayed official correspondence from the university seeking the Governor's approval to recruit additional academic and non-academic staff. He also presented a Federal Ministry of Education approval establishing Government Comprehensive High School, Akpabuyo, as the take-off site for a technical college, illustrating the formal procedures through which government approvals are communicated.

Describing the rumour as "a joke taken too far", the Commissioner urged residents to disregard unverified information and always confirm sensitive issues through official government channels.

Speaking during the interactive session, Gabriel Obo commended the Commissioner for facilitating the establishment of the Universal Basic Education College in Yala. He also appealed to the government to regularise the employment of casual workers at the Okuku Campus, establish additional medical-related faculties and consider the development of a teaching hospital for the institution.

Prof. Odey further assured students, parents and the wider public that the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) would soon be resolved, noting that negotiations between the state government and the union were progressing.

The meeting was attended by government officials, councillors, traditional rulers, political leaders, youth representatives and other stakeholders from across Yala Local Government Area.

The town hall ended with a unanimous affirmation that there are no plans to relocate the UNICROSS Okuku Campus, while participants welcomed the government's assurance that efforts would instead be directed towards strengthening and expanding the institution.

Members of Yala community at Occasions