By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi Alumni Association, JOSTUMAA, has re-elected Engr. Dr Theophilus Ukaa as its National President, with the new leadership urged to unite members and reposition the association for greater impact.

Ukaa was returned to office at the association’s 2026 National Elective Convention held weekend at the university campus in Makurdi, alongside other national officers elected to steer its affairs for another term.

Those elected included Dr Joel Dzongor as National Secretary; Vangervihi Shima, National Financial Secretary; Ganan Wash-Pam, National Treasurer; Dr Terungwa Age, National Publicity Secretary; Dr Ama Oryina, National Auditor; and Dr Ngodoo Tyona, National Social Secretary.

The convention came against the backdrop of years of internal disagreements, court cases and financial difficulties that weakened the association, with stakeholders calling for reconciliation, accountability and a renewed commitment to the development of their alma mater.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of JOSTUM, Prof. Isaac Itodo, commended Ukaa and his executive members for their service to the association and urged alumni to rally support for the university to enable it to compete favourably with leading institutions globally.

Describing the alumni as members of one family, Itodo said, “the Alumni should be considered as a family. I am proud of this University. You must have gone to other institutions but whatever excellence you are showing is from here.”

He urged members to contribute their expertise, resources and networks towards improving the institution, noting that JOSTUM graduates had distinguished themselves in different fields and occupied strategic positions, including membership of the Federal Executive Council. He, however, lamented that the contributions of the alumni were still being underplayed.

“We are all brothers and sisters. Use your numerical strength as alumni to get what you want. Do not fight each other. Let us forge an unbreakable front of unity,” the Vice-Chancellor charged members, urging them to approach the convention as a family affair.

Similarly, Prof. Simon Ejembi, an alumnus of the university, appealed to contestants and delegates to put the interests of the institution above personal ambitions, stressing that candidates should be seen as representatives of JOSTUMAA rather than individuals or factions.

Ejembi urged members to uphold decency, peace, harmony and dignity, warning against actions capable of undermining relationships within the association.

In his address, Ukaa acknowledged that JOSTUMAA had been engulfed in crisis and rancour over the past four years following disagreements arising from the previous elective convention, which resulted in court cases and garnishee orders on the association’s bank accounts.

He credited Prof. Itodo, who was the association’s pioneer president, with intervening to facilitate dialogue among the warring factions, noting that the intervention led to a compromise under which Engr. Nda Isaiah was nominated to represent the alumni on the university’s Governing Council.

Ukaa said his administration had recorded some achievements despite the challenges, including facilitating the recruitment of more than 70 graduate assistants and lecturers, securing the recall and eventual graduation of over 50 former students affected by residency requirements, and intervening in disciplinary cases involving alumni.

He also listed the prompt release of students’ results for mobilisation into the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, the orientation of newly recruited academic staff, the management of the university’s water factory and support for its Enactus team among the achievements of his administration.

He however disclosed that his leadership inherited an almost empty account and had struggled to operate because of prolonged litigation, adding that while access had been restored to its First Bank account, the Stanbic IBTC account remained inaccessible due to an unresolved legal dispute.

He further alleged that the association had yet to receive more than N10 million in statutory deductions from graduating students, which he said was owed by the university. He appealed to the incoming leadership to pursue the release of the funds to support alumni projects and other activities.

Ukaa, who said he personally financed several official engagements because of the association’s financial constraints, urged members to embrace selflessness and contribute to the development of their alma mater rather than focus on personal benefits.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Engr. Kumator Josiphiah, said the gathering was designed to strengthen unity, deepen engagement with the university and reposition the association for institutional excellence and sustainable development.

He said the convention’s theme, “From Alumni to Partners in Progress: Repositioning JOSTUMAA for Institutional Excellence, Global Impact and Sustainable Development,” reflected the need for members to move beyond social gatherings and become strategic partners in the university’s growth.

Josiphiah explained that the convention featured discussions on the JOSTUMAA 2026–2030 Strategic Agenda, covering institutional development, alumni welfare, scholarships, mentorship, research and innovation, professional networking, global engagement and transparent digital governance. He urged members to support the new leadership and work collectively towards building a stronger association.

In his keynote address, the Director of Research and Development at JOSTUM, Prof. John Ogoli, challenged alumni to take ownership of their university’s development, describing the relationship between graduates and their alma mater as comparable to that between a daughter and her mother.

Ogoli identified financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure, limited research capacity, brain drain and weak partnerships as some of the challenges facing universities, urging alumni to leverage their expertise, networks and resources to address the problems.

“You must also create a movement that will transform the culture of your alma mater. Take your place in the world by focusing on how to deploy your intellect, ideas and the resources within your environment to address human needs. The goal is not just to acquire knowledge or attain personal success, but to use what you have to make a meaningful difference in society,” he said.

Activities at the convention also included a tour of projects executed by the Itodo-led university administration.