USU 2023/2024 President, Comr. Eyoka James Dan, Honours Executives with Awards for Service and Commitment

Bigchiefvibes media report 

The 2023/2024 Executive President of the Unyeada Students’ Union (USU), Comr. Eyoka James Dan,  host and appreciate with an award ceremony to honour members of his former executive council for their support and tireless efforts toward the success of his administration.

At the event, Comr. Eyoka expressed gratitude to members of the 2023/2024 executive council for their commitment, resilience, and contributions throughout his tenure. He described the gathering as an opportunity to reflect on shared experiences, acknowledge sacrifices made, and encourage continued support for the growth and sustainability of the union beyond active service.

The ceremony was held at about 3:00pm on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the Railway Club, Station Road, Port Harcourt, and lasted for hours.

Speaking with Bigchiefvibes Media after the presentation of awards, Comr. Eyoka reflected on his leadership journey, describing it as both challenging and fulfilling. He noted that leadership comes with responsibility and sacrifice, stressing that “to be a good leader, one must first learn to be a good follower.”

According to him, submitting himself to learning, teamwork, and collective leadership played a significant role in the achievements recorded during his tenure, particularly as the union had been inactive for about seven years before his administration.

Comr. Eyoka James Dan served as the pioneer Executive President of the revived Unyeada Students’ Union, a role he said came with enormous pressure and high expectations.

He highlighted several milestones achieved under his leadership, including the successful opening of an official USU bank account, the revival and stabilization of the union, and the organizing of programs aimed at promoting the welfare of Unyeada students. He also cited the organizing of academic-focused programs, the recognition and awarding of deserving students, and plans initiated toward establishing a reading library to enhance academic learning.

The former president attributed these achievements to the dedication and active participation of his executive team, emphasizing that the administration’s success was a collective effort. However, he acknowledged that some challenges were encountered during and after his tenure, including the unavailability of some executive members, inadequate support and funding from stakeholders, and unfulfilled promises made to the union.

In his words, some members of the community lack the culture of supporting and funding student unions that are geared toward development, societal growth, and encouraging younger generations to embrace education. Despite these challenges, he stated that the administration successfully achieved its core objectives.

One of the award recipients, Comr. Ujamadeng Solomon Urang, Director of Social (D.O.S), expressed excitement and gratitude for the recognition. Speaking to Bigchiefvibes Media, he described the award as a pleasant surprise.

“As Director of Social, I ensured that all social events assigned to me during the administration were effectively organized and executed,” he said, noting that this contribution may have earned him the honour. He also encouraged current and future USU executives to learn from past administrations and build on positive foundations to ensure the continued growth of the union.

Also speaking at the event, Comr. Nte Ogwuiwan Yage, Vice President of the union during the 2023/2024 tenure, appreciated the former president for his leadership and for recognizing the contributions of the executives. She encouraged him to continue contributing positively to the union’s development even after leaving office. She further advised future USU administrations to aim higher and surpass the achievements recorded during the 2023/2024 tenure.

Similarly, Comr. Mesharck Helen Atteng, Treasurer of the union, expressed gratitude for the award, describing it as unexpected. “I feel very happy because I honestly did not expect this award. I am very grateful to receive it,” she said, while offering prayers for continued blessings upon the former president.

Among those recognized at the event were:

Comr. Nte Ogwuiwan Yage — (USU emeritus )Vice President

Comr. Ujamadeng Solomon Urang — (USU emeritus), Director of Social

Comr. Mesharck Helen Atteng — (USU emeritus), Treasurer

Comr. Geoffrey Ekpu Ekpu — (USU emeritus), Chief Security Officer. etc

The event was marked by appreciation, reflection, and a renewed call for unity, sustained commitment, and collective responsibility toward strengthening the growth and relevance of the Unyeada Students’ Union.

Watch video here 👇 

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