Blessing Alims, the first female President of the Student Union Government (SUG) at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), has justified her decision to appoint 50 individuals as aides, citing the need for effective governance and representation of the university’s diverse student body.
Alims, who recently made history as the first female SUG President in UNICAL’s 49-year history, faced criticism on social media for her appointment of 50 aides, with some comparing her leadership style to what they described as a “wasteful government” in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by her Press Secretary, Madueke Chinenye, Alims explained that her decision was aimed at ensuring the welfare and progress of the university’s over 42,000 students from 20 faculties and 110 departments. She emphasized the need for a collaborative effort and a strong, diverse team to implement her initiatives successfully.
The SUG President noted that the appointments were voluntary and came with no financial compensation, but were designed to foster career development and instill a sense of duty and motivation in the appointees. She also stressed that the selection process was merit-based and that each appointee brought valuable expertise to the administration.
Alims’ administration has sparked controversy, but she remains committed to effective governance and student welfare.
