From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, has called on the leadership of the University of Calabar Students’ Union Government to adopt effective communication strategies in the fight against drug abuse, cultism, and other social vices threatening tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
Dr. Ekpang made the call when the Directorate of Information of the University of Calabar Students’ Union Government, led by its Director of Information, Comrade Gift Ogbodum, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Calabar.
He was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Mr. Anthony Asuquo Okon, who emphasized the need for student leaders to utilize their positions to promote positive values and drive behavioural change among students.
“One of the major responsibilities of student leaders, especially those in information management, is to help fight the menace of cultism and drug abuse on campus.
“These are serious challenges confronting students today, and you must use your offices to disseminate the right information across faculties and departments,” Okon stated.
He noted that the SUG Information Directorate has a critical role to play in shaping opinions and influencing positive conduct within the institution through responsible communication and sustained sensitisation campaigns.
Dr. Ekpang further encouraged the students to emulate the communication style and developmental orientation of the ministry by promoting messages capable of fostering discipline, peace, and social responsibility on campus.
“You have representatives across departments and faculties, so you should work with them to ensure success is achieved. Drug abuse and cultism are major concerns, and as student leaders, you must rise to the challenge,” he added.
He also commended the students for honoring him with an award in recognition of his contributions to information management and public communication in Cross River State.
According to him, the recognition reflects the impact of the Ministry’s efforts in projecting the programmes and policies of the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, to the public.
“I want to say that it is a great honour to this office and especially to our Commissioner because, based on his hard work and dedication, you found him worthy of this recognition. It shows that the work he is doing is being noticed beyond the immediate space,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the delegation, the SUG Director of Information, Comrade Gift Ogbodum, said the visit was aimed at appreciating the Commissioner for his support to students and his outstanding role in public information management.
“We are here to appreciate the Commissioner for his good works and for effectively taking government information to the university community and the larger society,” he said.
He added that the visit also provided an opportunity for the student leadership to strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Information and deepen engagement on issues affecting students and society at large.
The meeting was also attended by other directors of the Ministry.