General News
Ukaa Returns as President at JOSTUMAA National Convention, Alumni Urged to Support University Devt
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi Alumni Association (JOSTUMAA) has re-elected Engr. Theophilus Ukaa as its National President for another term, with stakeholders urging members to unite and support the development of their alma mater.
Ukaa’s re-election took place at the association’s 2026 National Elective Convention held on Saturday, October 10, in Makurdi, Benue State, where members also elected other executive officers to steering the affairs of the association.
The convention, themed “From Alumni to Partners in Progress: Repositioning JOSTUMAA for Institutional Excellence, Global Impact and Sustainable Development,” provided a platform for members to review the association’s challenges, celebrate its achievements and discuss strategies for strengthening its partnership with the university.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Professor Isaac Itodo, commended the Ukaa-led executive committee for their contributions to the association, urging alumni to sustain their support for the institution.
Itodo, who is also an alumnus of the university, described JOSTUMAA as a family whose members must remain united irrespective of their professional achievements, social status and positions of influence.
He said alumni should recognize the university as the foundation of their accomplishments, regardless of other institutions they might have attended.
“You must have gone to Harvard or Yale, but whatever excellence you are showing is from here,” he said, challenging members to contribute towards making the university competitive with leading institutions globally.
The Vice Chancellor noted that JOSTUMAA had produced distinguished professionals, including individuals serving at the federal level, naming the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Terlumun Utsev among others but lamented that the association had yet to fully harness its potential and professional networks for the benefit of the university.
He urged members to use their numerical strength to advance the interests of the association, warning against internal disagreements that could undermine its progress.
“We are all brothers and sisters. Use your numerical strength as alumni to get what you want. Do not fight yourselves. Let us forge an unbreakable front of unity,” Itodo said.
Similarly, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Simon Ejembi, called on members to uphold the dignity of the association and place its collective interests above personal ambitions.
Ejembi urged contestants in the election to see themselves as representatives of JOSTUMAA rather than individuals or factional candidates, stressing that peace, harmony and mutual respect were essential to the association’s progress.
Also, the Director of Alumni Relations, Dr Victor Bem urged the reelected president to continue on the path of good and development and urged members to continue to support him as president of the JOSTUMAA.
Earlier, Ukaa acknowledged that the association had experienced years of internal disagreements, court cases and financial difficulties following disputes arising from a previous elective convention.
He explained that the prolonged legal battles and court orders had affected the association’s bank accounts, limiting the ability of the executive committee to discharge its responsibilities effectively.
Despite the challenges, Ukaa listed some achievements of his administration to include facilitating the recruitment of more than 70 graduate assistants and lecturers who graduated from the university.
He also said the association had intervened to enable over 50 former students to complete their studies and obtain their certificates, while efforts were made to facilitate the prompt release of results for graduates awaiting mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
The JOSTUMAA president disclosed that the association had been unable to access one of its bank accounts because of ongoing legal issues, while more than N10 million in statutory deductions accruing to the association from graduating students remained unpaid by the university.
He appealed to the university management to facilitate the release of the outstanding funds to enable the association to execute projects and support initiatives aimed at improving the institution.
Ukaa stressed that rebuilding the association required members to set aside personal differences and work collectively to mobilise their financial, intellectual and professional resources for the development of their alma mater.
In his acceptance remarks after his re-election, Ukaa expressed gratitude to members for renewing their confidence in his leadership, describing the mandate as a collective responsibility to rebuild the association and restore its pride of place.
He thanked Itodo, the Convention Planning Committee, the Electoral Committee, delegates and other members who contributed to the success of the convention.
Ukaa appealed to members, irrespective of their past differences and affiliations, to place the interests of JOSTUMAA above personal ambitions and support his administration in moving the association forward.
He assured members that his administration would remain open to constructive ideas, collaboration and meaningful contributions from all alumni.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Engr. Josiphiah Kumator, said the convention was designed to reposition JOSTUMAA as a strategic partner in university development, student empowerment, research, innovation and professional networking.
Kumator explained that the proposed JOSTUMAA 2026–2030 Strategic Agenda would focus on institutional development, partnership with the university, alumni welfare and unity, scholarships and mentorship, research and innovation, business and professional networking, global alumni engagement, and transparent digital governance.
He urged members to support the leadership and actively participate in implementing the agenda, noting that the development of the association could not be left to elected officers alone.
“JOSTUMAA belongs to all of us. Its success cannot be the responsibility of elected officers alone. It requires the ideas, expertise, networks, resources and commitment of every alumnus,” he said.
In his keynote address, titled “From Alumni to Partners in Progress: Repositioning JOSTUMAA for Institutional Excellence, Global Impact and Sustainable Development,” the Director of Research and Development at JOSTUM, Professor John Igoli, called on alumni to take greater responsibility for the institution’s growth through financial support, infrastructure development, mentorship and sustainable partnerships.
Igoli identified fundraising, scholarships, career guidance, research support, infrastructure development and participation in institutional governance as key areas where alumni could contribute meaningfully.
He urged members to maintain lifelong connections with the university and support its development regardless of their financial circumstances.
The professor identified inadequate infrastructure and technology, limited research funding, shortages of critical skills, brain drain and weak partnerships as some of the challenges affecting the institution.
He called on alumni to build networks, mobilise resources and establish collaborations that would strengthen the university’s capacity to compete globally.
Igoli also emphasised the need for trust, fairness, transparency, inclusiveness and clearly defined responsibilities to ensure effective partnerships between the association and university management.
He encouraged members to take ownership of development initiatives, build on existing networks and demonstrate the impact of alumni contributions through practical projects that address institutional and societal needs.
The convention also featured a tour of university projects executed under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Itodo.