In the history of student leadership at the College of Nursing Sciences, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar, the administration led by Comr. Victor Antigha Asuquo will be remembered as a period marked by deliberate reform, student inclusion, institutional visibility, and a renewed sense of purpose in student unionism.
As the 8th Executive President of the Student Union Government (SUG), Asuquo’s tenure began with a clear intent: to move student governance beyond routine congresses and ceremonial engagements into a more impactful, structured, and development-oriented system. For him, leadership was never meant to be symbolic. Driven by the mandate #RevivedSUG, it was meant to be functional, visible, and useful to the students who entrusted him with the mandate to serve. From the time he was admitted into the college, he remained one of the most critical observers of the Union and its leadership, firmly convinced that a higher standard was possible. That conviction, rooted in his rejection of mediocrity, inspired his decision to contest and emerge as the Vice President of the Student Union Government in 2022. During his tenure as second-in-command, he took every opportunity to learn, observe, and prepare, guided by the belief that to reform a system, one must first understand it from within.
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His election as president on the 19th of October 2023 as the youngest-ever SUG president in terms of age since elections commenced in 2015 was not only a personal milestone, but also a statement about the place of youth, vision, and determination in leadership. Following his formal assumption of office on 6 November 2023, the administration set out to build an inclusive union that would represent student interests more effectively while also creating opportunities for academic, social, and entrepreneurial growth.
Building an Inclusive Structure
One of the earliest steps taken by the administration was the formation of committees, while trivial, it was previously not formally existent in the union’s structure. This was not done as a formality, but as a governance strategy designed to deepen participation and spread responsibility across the student body. By creating committees, the administration gave more students direct roles in union activities and decision-making. This helped to strengthen ownership, improve coordination, and make student governance more participatory.
The committee structure became a practical foundation upon which many of the administration’s programmes were built. It also reflected a leadership philosophy that valued inclusion over exclusivity and responsibility over centralization. This initiative was later on formalised with its addition to the constitution during the review that would be done later in the tenure.
Reviving Sports and Student Engagement
From the 5th to the 8th of December 2023, the administration introduced the Provost Cup, an initiative aimed at reviving sporting interest and encouraging extracurricular participation among students. The event was conceived around the belief that academic excellence should be complemented by physical wellness and recreational engagement.
Organized through the sports committee, the competition was held successfully in both male and female categories. More than a football event, the Provost Cup became a symbol of renewed student energy and campus life. It showed that student unionism could contribute meaningfully to a healthier and more balanced educational experience.
The Eventual winners were;
Male Category- Final year class
Female Category- Year 2 class
The vision was that in the future the competitions would expand beyond just Football to feature other sports that would maintain the sporting spirit of the students especially going into the Yuletide holidays
Securing Institutional Recognition Through NACRISS
Another landmark achievement of the administration came in December 2023, shortly before the Christmas celebrations, when concerted efforts were made to ensure that the College of Nursing Sciences, UCTH, Calabar was included in the state government’s distribution of palliatives. Prior to this period, the institution had frequently been excluded from similar interventions, but the President’s initiative to establish and activate a NACRISS Chapter in the college helped to change that narrative.
For the first time, the college benefited from such an intervention. Beyond the immediate relief provided by the palliatives, the development marked a significant boost in the institution’s visibility, relevance, and recognition. It placed the college more firmly within student and government conversations and created a stronger foundation for future opportunities. During that period, the college also hosted the NACRISS Worldwide leadership under its then President, Comr. Akpeke Peter, opening a wider window of possibilities for the institution and its students.
The chapter that emerged from this effort was later led by a team of committed student leaders, including Comr. Jesam Omini as Chapter President, Comr. Austin Oko as Vice President, Mrs. Winifred Imona as General Secretary, HRH Nancy-Angel Nimmon as Treasurer, and Comr. Joan Agbor as the chapter’s representative in the WW Senate, among others. The establishment of the NACRISS Chapter became an important source of identity, representation, and belonging for students of the college, even as they pursued their academic training.
Connecting the College to other institutions.
In February 2024, the administration took another significant step with the official confirmation of affiliation with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the apex student body in Nigeria. The registration was successfully completed on the 1st of February, 2024, following months of behind the scenes activities, thereby granting the college formal membership and recognition within the national student movement.
This development was important not only for representation, but also for legitimacy and access. It firmly placed the college within the larger committee of higher institutions in Nigeria. It also enabled the students to benefit from broader opportunities, networks, and advocacy platforms.
A particularly memorable aspect of the NANS affiliation was the award of patronship to the Provost; Mrs Item Akpan (LSM), an honour that reflected the growing relationship between the institution and student leadership structures at the state and national level.
The confirmation event featured attendance from many student leaders in the state including the NANS JCC Chairman, Comr. Iwara Michael Ikoh and a team of his executives, as well as the SUG Presidents of the University of Calabar; Sen. Kichi-Akwo Godsgift and the University of Cross River State; Comr. Ogbodim Humphrey among a host of other leaders. Comr. Asuquo himself was therein confirmed a senator of NANS in the state.
Encouraging Academic Expression Through Debate and Essay Competitions
The Victor Antigha Asuquo led administration placed strong emphasis on intellectual development, through extra curricular activities. On the 20th of February 2024, through the academic committee, it organized a landmark debate competition designed to make learning more engaging and to foster critical thinking, public speaking, and healthy competition. The event was well received and became another example of the administration’s effort to make academic life more interactive and rewarding. The tournament was eventually won by the final year class, who debated the ND1 class on the topic; Nursing is a calling, not a choice.
In March 2024, the administration also hosted an essay competition, with the topic being “Nursing in the digital age; Beyond the bedside”. The event provided students with a platform to sharpen their writing skills, express their opinions, and think independently. The initiative aligned with the academic aspirations of the college and reflected the administration’s commitment to cultivating a culture of scholarly engagement beyond the classroom.
Together, the debate and essay competitions demonstrated a practical belief that education should not be boring, passive, or one-dimensional. It should challenge students, develop their voices, and prepare them for broader intellectual participation.
Preparing Students for the Digital Age
As a direct outcome of the college’s affiliation with NANS, the students participated in the NANS Fintech Summit in March 2024. The programme was designed by the NANS JCC to equip students with digital and soft skills relevant to today’s economy.
Over two dozen students were trained at Guru Tech Hub by experts including Oyo Effiom and a host of others. They were exposed to skills that could serve them in the digital space and broaden their career possibilities. The Asuquo Administration’s active participation in the summit reflected an administration that understood the changing demands of the world and recognized the importance of preparing students for opportunities beyond conventional professional pathways.
Students’ Week 2024: A Signature Event
The 2024 Students’ Week stood out as one of the defining achievements of the administration. Tagged “Nursing in the Digital Age: Beyond the Bedside,” it was carefully conceived and executed to reflect the evolving identity of nursing students in an increasingly technology-driven world. Organised from the 20th to the 26th of May, 2024.
Despite funding constraints, the administration delivered a highly memorable and impactful celebration. The Students’ Week was far more than an annual social event; it was a powerful expression of identity, relevance, and ambition. It affirmed that nursing students could celebrate their profession while also engaging meaningfully with the contemporary realities shaping healthcare, education, leadership, and student life.
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The week featured a rally and health walk from the college to the hospital premises, a highly engaging symposium, an old school night, bonfires, and the most elaborate dinner and award ceremony yet held at Etaval Conference Centre, Calabar, where new dignitaries were crowned. They included HRM Jonah Ogaene as Mr. CONS-UCTH, HRM Jewel Amarachi as Miss CONS-UCTH, and HRM Vera Ononiwu as Face of CONS-UCTH. The week concluded with a thanksgiving service at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Calabar.
Throughout the celebration, the college played host to several distinguished guests from the state student community, including seven SUG Presidents from across the state, the leadership of NANSNM-CRS, the leadership of NANS JCC, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Amb. John Collins, and Engr. Offiong Ikpeme, among others. For the students, it was an unforgettable experience. As Asuquo rightly noted, the bar had been raised so high that those who follow must now aim even higher.
Extending Representation Beyond the College
In August 2024 (19th – 24th), the administration participated actively in the NANSNM-CRS Convention held in Itigidi, fielding its largest travelling delegation since the State Convention of 2018. This engagement was a clear expression of the administration’s commitment to representation, visibility, and meaningful participation within the broader student movement. It is also important to note that Comrade Victor Antigha Asuquo served as the Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, a role that reflected the confidence and trust placed in him by the wider nursing student leadership across the state.
At the convention, the college emerged as champions of the debate competition, a result that further validated the intellectual gains already recorded earlier in the year through debates, essays, and other academic engagements. The victory was not only a source of pride for the institution, but also strong evidence that consistent investment in student development can produce outstanding results.
Beyond the debate championship, students also took part in several sporting and extracurricular activities. Although the college did not emerge victorious in all categories, the students returned with pride, enthusiasm, and gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such a vibrant and memorable experience. The convention concluded with the election of Comr. Eyare Victor of the College of Nursing Sciences, Obudu, as the new NANSNM State President.
Promoting Entrepreneurship and Practical Skills
Between July and September 2024, the Victor Antigha Asuquo led administration partnered with the Offiong Ikpeme Foundation to organise a skills acquisition programme for students. Through the programme, students received certification in entrepreneurial skills such as baking, makeup, tailoring, and related areas.
This initiative was rooted in the conviction that nursing students should be equipped not only for clinical service, but also for self-reliance and entrepreneurship. It expanded the possibilities available to students and emphasized the value of practical competence in addition to academic qualification.
Hosting a Landmark Education Orientation Summit
On the 17th of September 2024, the Asuquo administration, in partnership with the state government through the office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Orientation, Comr. Afufu A thing Ogabor, hosted the first-ever Education Orientation Summit in the college.
The summit was historic in several respects. It brought major stakeholders from the Cross River State education and political space into the institution for the first time in such a structured and visible way. It expanded the college’s exposure and elevated its profile within the state’s educational and policy landscape.
The event underscored the administration’s ability to attract strategic partnerships and position the college as a relevant voice in wider development conversations. Being able to play host to major leaders in the state’s student space,
Major attendees included the Vice Chancellor of Unicross, Prof. Francisca Bassey, the SA to the Governor on General Duties Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, the three SAs to the Governor on Students, along with a host of several other invited guests and student leaders.
Infrastructure and Administrative Improvements
Beyond events and programmes, the administration also delivered several practical improvements to the Union’s internal systems and facilities. These included
Provision of a brand new public address system,
Acquisition of new set of sports jerseys,
Upgrade of the SUG secretariat,
Comprehensive constitution review.
The administration also carried out
Repairs of hostel facilities including electrical installations and
Erection of brand new mirrors across all floors of the hostel.
The Asuquo led exco revived and remodelled the school’s students Identity cards, with a 72% coverage of all students in the institution as at the time of handover.
These interventions strengthened the operational capacity of the union and improved the environment in which student leadership functioned. They may not have always attracted the same level of attention as major events, but they were essential to building a more organized and functional student government.
Challenges Along the Way
Like every serious administration, this one also faced obstacles. A key challenge was the continued neglect from the hospital administration, despite repeated efforts to engage and seek cooperation. This remained a difficult issue because meaningful progress in a school-hospital environment depends heavily on collaboration among all stakeholders.
Even so, the administration maintained its commitment to service and continued to pursue the welfare of students within the limits of available support.
The financial limitations were dealt with through student centred fundraising and meticulous financial management to meet needs and achieve goals.
A Legacy of Service and Gratitude
As the administration drew to a close, one truth remained clear: it had made significant efforts to improve student life, raise the profile of the college, and establish a stronger culture of unionism. There was also an honest acknowledgment that more could still have been done, but the progress recorded was substantial and meaningful.
The students were thanked for their support, respect, and appreciation throughout the tenure. The administration also extended apologies to anyone who may have felt offended by its decisions or actions, stressing that all efforts were made in the best interest of the Union and the students it served.
Special appreciation is also given to the College Provost, Mrs Item Akpan, whose support proved critical to many of the administration’s achievements, and to the Dean of Student Affairs, Mrs Philomena Ignatius, whose openness and cooperation made ambitious programmes possible. Staff members including Mrs. Rose Ita, Mr. Adeniran, Mr. Adams, Mrs. Ama Henshaw, Mrs. Antia, and others were also recognised for their consistent support of SUG activities.
The 2023/24 Senate House, led by Sen. Umana Sambo, received commendation for its support and constructive criticism, while the executive team was praised for its loyalty, patience, and commitment throughout the period of service.
Conclusion
Comr. Victor Antigha Asuquo’s tenure as SUG President at the College of Nursing Sciences, UCTH, Calabar, stands as a chronicle of purposeful leadership, institutional advancement, and student-centered governance. It was a period defined by initiatives that promoted inclusion, visibility, academic growth, digital readiness, entrepreneurship, and collective identity.
For future reference, this administration will be remembered not simply for the offices it occupied, but for the impact it pursued and the structures it helped to strengthen. It was a tenure that sought to make student unionism matter more, and in many ways, it succeeded.
The Victor Antigha Asuquo culminated on the 6th of October, 2024, with a handover ceremony to his successor Comr. Joseph Asuquo Effiong who was elected a month earlier on the 6th of September in a free and fair election. It was during this handover ceremony that he was awarded the Best SUG President by the NANS Joint Campus Council of the State in recognition of his incredible performance as SUG President.
We wish him and his team of executives the best in all their future endeavours.
The 2023/2024 Executive Council
The success of the administration can be credited to the consistent effort of the following dogged comrades;
President – Comr. Victor Antigha Asuquo
Vice President – Comr. Joseph Asuquo Effiong (Academic Committee Chairman)
General Secretary – Comr. Precious Akaninyene
Asst. General Secretary – Comr. Favour Agaji
Treasurer – Comr. Virtue Stephen Otu
Financial Secretary – Comr. Nelly Ene Who
Director of Welfare – Comr. Mary Paul Henshaw (Hostel Coordinator)
Director of Socials – Comr. Shadrach Manga (Socials Committee Chairman)
Director of Sports – Comr. Awuzie Chukwujekwu (Sports Committee Chairman)
Director of Health – Comr. Faith Eneji
Auditor General – Comr. Catherine Iyaka
Auditor II – Comr. Arikpo Gospel
Public Relations Officer – Comr. Patience Achiche (Media Committee Chairman)
Provost Marshal – Comr. Etim Rosemary Asuquo
Long live the Student Union Government.
Long live the College of Nursing Sciences, UCTH, Calabar.
~ Intellectual Property of the Students Union Government, College of Nursing Sciences, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar ©2024
~ Originally Compiled in May 2024 by Comr. Previous Akaninyene
~ Updated in November 2024 by Comr. Agaji Favour
~ Preserved physically in the SUG Secretariat
~ Published digitally in 2026 via ARC and calabaronline.com.ng
