News
UNICROSS Postpones Matriculation Over Gown Fees, Protest
UNICROSS postpones matriculation amid student protests over N10,000 gown fee and staff strike, citing tensions and fee hikes as reasons
The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has postponed the 24th matriculation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic session following tensions over the high cost of academic gowns and an ongoing staff protest.
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The Vice Chancellor, Prof Francisca Bassey, set the rental fee for the matriculation gown at N10,000, sparking discontent among students who noted that previous rentals cost just N2,000.
Students also criticised a recent 100 percent increase in school fees and additional charges, describing the school as a “fortress for extortion.”
The postponement was announced in a circular dated 26 January 2026 by the Registrar, Dr Catherine Osai, citing the protest by the Joint Action Congress (JAC) representing three non-teaching staff unions, as well as student unrest over the gown fees and fee hikes.
“This is to inform all staff, students, and the general public that the 24th Matriculation Ceremony of the University of Cross River State, earlier scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Calabar Campus and Friday, January 30, 2026, at Ogoja and Okuku Campuses, has been postponed indefinitely,” the circular stated.
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Dr Osai expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the postponement and reaffirmed that the decision followed careful consideration of both the staff protests and the tensions among students.
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Dauda Lawal swears in five permanent secretaries in Zamfara, urging them to follow public service rules, financial regulations and relevant laws
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has sworn in five new permanent secretaries, urging them to comply with Public Service Rules, financial regulations and other relevant laws in the discharge of their duties.
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The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday at the Grand Chamber of the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.
The newly appointed permanent secretaries are Ahmad S. Zamfara, Nasiru Halilu Anka, Mu’azu Jibril Guraguri, Adamu Abdullahi Kanoma and Sani Muhammad Shinkafi.
The Chief Judge of Zamfara State, Justice Kulu Aliyu, administered the oath of office to the appointees, who pledged allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lawal congratulated the new permanent secretaries, describing their appointments as recognition of their experience, abilities and readiness to take on greater responsibilities.
He said their roles extended beyond personal career advancement, noting that their decisions and conduct would influence government performance and the welfare of residents.
“The Permanent Secretary is central to Government, providing administrative leadership, institutional continuity, and policy advice while implementing approved programs,” the governor said.
He added that permanent secretaries were responsible for maintaining discipline, coordinating their establishments and ensuring that public resources were used for their intended purposes.
Lawal said his administration remained committed to strengthening government institutions and improving public administration to support Zamfara’s development priorities.
He noted that the civil service played a critical role in translating government decisions into practical results, particularly in the delivery of essential services.
The governor urged the new appointees to align their work with his administration’s priorities through proper planning, realistic implementation strategies, effective supervision and continuous assessment of results.
He also called on them to maintain constructive and professional relationships with commissioners and other political officeholders.
According to Lawal, political leaders are responsible for setting policy, while career civil servants provide the institutional knowledge, technical advice and administrative capacity needed to implement it.
He stressed that mutual respect and cooperation between political officeholders and career civil servants were essential to effective governance.
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The governor urged the permanent secretaries to uphold discipline and professionalism while ensuring that their departments supported the administration’s development agenda and served the needs of the people of Zamfara.
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