UNIUYO VC tasks protocol staff on due diligence, public relations

Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, UNIUYO, Prof Chris Ekong, has urged protocol staff in the institution to show a level of courtesy and decency both in dress code and attitude while dealing with colleagues and outsiders.

He warned that he would not hesitate to recommend the sack of any officer found wanting in those regards.

The Vice Chancellor who spoke through the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof Enobong Ikpeme, at a one-day training workshop for protocol staff, themed ‘Excellence in Protocol Communication and Service Delivery: Supporting Visionary Leadership in the University of Uyo’, said the training was necessary to reposition protocol staff to align with his vision for the university.

While calling for more diligence from staff, the new Vice Chancellor assured of his readiness to transform and overhaul the system for positive results in the coming years.

He said, “Your attitude, dress code and relationships with colleagues and outsiders must change. I will not waste time in recommending to the council for staff to be relieved of his position. So, we should not think that the workshop is just casual, we should take it seriously.

“I am sure you have seen the newness in the institution. Now that we have two female Deputy Vice Chancellors in this university, it shows that old ways of doing things have passed away.’’

Earlier, the Registrar of the University, Mrs Blossom Okorie, observed that the university was portrayed negatively in public which necessitated the training workshop for protocol staff to change the narrative.

“A mistake by one person can cause embarrassment to the entire university. The responsibilities entrusted to protocol officers demand dedication, discretion, sound judgement and unwavering commitment to excellence,” she said.

Presenting a paper titled ‘Critical Issues in Protocol Management’, the lead resource person at the workshop, Dr Udeme Nana, advised protocol staff to be careful and pay attention to details bothering on their duties.