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Students of Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene have elected Victoria Ihekweaba as their first ever Student Leadership Team (SLT) President.
The 200 level student of Accounting who hails from Owerri, Imo State beat two other aspirants to emerge pioneer President of Ritman’s SLT (an equivalent of Student Union Government) in an election held on Friday 4th November, 2016 at the campus in Akwa Ibom State.
Victoria attended Luciana Secondary School, Ojo, Lagos where she was President of the Press Club. During a debate on election eve, she had promised to make campus life worthwhile by organizing seminars and engaging students in vocational outings every year while working together with her peers and the school management to achieve set goals.
Enobong Nyahette of the Biological Sciences Faculty was elected Vice President; Idongesit Thomas who studies Political Science emerged Secretary and Juliet Ekanem of Accounting Department won the office of Treasurer. Others who got elected into the SLT were Pearl Abasita (Socials), Idongesit Sunday (PRO), Deborah Ahiakwo (Sports) and Queeneth Archibong (Financial Secretary).
Before the elections, aspirants presented their manifesto during a debate at the university chapel on Thursday 3rd November, 2016. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Celestine Ntuen in his address to students emphasized the need for discipline, warning that the institution will condone neither indiscipline nor militancy. He expressed his expectation that student leaders would be people of ethical and fiscal responsibility.
In the pre-election debate, George Obot who also contested for the Presidency promised that his administration would ensure that management responds promptly to issues affecting the students. Another presidential aspirant, Kindness Nwosu said she would be transparent and accessible to everyone while also upholding rights of students.
The Vice Presidential aspirant, Enobong Nyahette in a scholarly manifesto presentation had promised to lead with integrity and focus, while Idongesit Thomas who vied for the secretaryship promised to provide an effective link between students and the SLT, in addition to enhancing good student/lecturer relationship. They duo were elected unopposed.
The elections climaxed Ritman University’s first Student Week which featured an “Old School Night” as well as a Variety and Award Night. The week-long series of activities began with a football match between the University Team and the Young Talents Football Club of Ikot Obiokpon.
