A WELCOME ADDRESS PRESENTED BY DR. OFFIONG E. OFFIONG, ASUU-UCB CHAIRMAN ON THE OCCASION OF THE 13TH NATIONAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE HELD IN THE UNIVIERSITY OF CALABAR, CALABAR ,APRIL 16TH-18TH, 2004.

The Honourable Minister for Education Professor Fabian Osuji, His Excellency. Mr. Donald Duke, Governor of Cross River State, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Calabar Professor Ivara Esu, other visiting Vice-Chancellors or their representatives, Principal Officers of the University of Calabar, Calabar, Members of the National Executive Council of ASUU (NEC), Delegates, Distinguished Academics, Comrades and other distinguished guests here present or represented, Gentlemen of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen, all other protocols duely observed. I am most delighted to welcome you all to this historic occasion. We the members of ASUU-UCB feel highly honoured to be given the opportunity of hosting the 13th National Delegates Conference (NDC) in the University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State. This Conference is a loud testimony to the fact that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Nigeria remains a virile and an articulate Union that has come a long way, notwithstanding the various repressive regimes that have sought to stifle her existence. The last
time the University of Calabar hosted the National Delegates Conference (NDC) was in 1982. Twenty-two years later, we are here again today as host for another momentous NDC. We feel highly honoured.

It is worth reminding ourselves that the Academic Staff Union of Universities in Nigeria is noted for her labour activism. The Union represents the tacit sentiments of the marginalized Nigerian populace, by enlightening our fellow countrymen and constructively criticizing unfair government policies which are meant to emasculate and impoverish the Nigerians citizenry, with a view to not only achieving a conducive working condition for her members but also ensuring a better academic environment for our students and a prosperous Nigerian nation where peace and harmony reign. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) stands for truth and justice, which are so glaringly lacking in our national polity. This explains why successive governments struggle in vain to destroy her ideas, ideal and her militancy. ASUU-UCB particularly, over the years has been blessed with active and dynamic leaders who have contributed immensely
towards the development and sustenance of the Union. The battle is not over yet as the struggle continues. You are welcome to our great University of Calabar, Calabar.
Cross Riverians are noted for their hospitality and friendliness, and so is the city of Calabar, the State Capital. Cross Riverians are also noted for their natural tendency to treat their guests to tasty and delicious meals. We hope our guests here present will be living witnesses to this claim. While in Calabar, we enjoin our guests to enjoy the serene ambience of the city of Calabar and to savour our tasty meals. Relax and enjoy yourselves while the Conference lasts.
Once again, you are all welcome to this august occasion that bespeaks the unity, robust aspiration and the indefatigable struggle of our great union ASUU. Thank you for honouring us to host this great event of our Union.

DR OFFIONG E. OFFIONG
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF
ASUU- UNICAL BRANCH