The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), through its Association of Brotherhood Academic Scholars (ABAS), successfully hosted the 4th Edition of the Mega Campus Conference, bringing together scholars, students, academics, government officials, and professionals to discuss the importance of translating beliefs into positive actions.
The conference, themed “From Belief to Practice: Advancing Academic and Moral Excellence,” focused on promoting ethical values, academic integrity, and responsible leadership among students and young professionals.
Declaring the conference open, Archbishop Prof. Illami Krama, Chairman of the Education Fellowship, described the gathering as a unique platform for learning, self-development, and intellectual growth. He encouraged participants to embrace continuous learning, stressing that no individual is above acquiring knowledge.
Delivering the welcome address, the International President of the Association of Brotherhood Academic Scholars (ABAS), Hon. Ekuma Ngwu, expressed gratitude to the Holy Father, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, for approving the conference. He said this year’s theme challenges participants to move beyond merely professing beliefs by demonstrating them through character, integrity, and everyday conduct.
Hon. Ngwu lamented the growing moral decline in educational institutions, citing corruption, examination malpractice, cultism, prostitution, “sex-for-grades,” substance abuse, and poor mentorship as major threats to academic excellence. He identified inadequate funding, weak institutional policies, poverty, poor role models, and negative societal influences as some of the factors contributing to the decline in moral values.
He also commended the ABAS International Leadership and the Local Organising Committee for successfully coordinating the conference.
Representing the Cross River State Government, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Skills Acquisition, Hon. Ijom Ukam, delivered the keynote address, where he emphasized that today’s labour market demands graduates with both technical competence and strong moral values.
According to him, employers now place high value on integrity, emotional intelligence, teamwork, adaptability, communication skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. He urged students to build lives founded on discipline, humility, hard work, respect, and service, noting that integrity remains the foundation of lasting success.
The conference also featured two panel discussions focusing on “From Belief to Practice” and “Overcoming Anti-Social Practices Militating Against Moral Rectitude.”
Panelists included Dr. Amah Williams, BCS Spokesman; Dr. Kalita Aruku, Chairman of the Cross River State Youth Empowerment Scheme and Senior Lecturer at the University of Calabar; Prof. Godsgift Uwen of the Department of English and Literary Studies, University of Calabar; Archbishop (Barr.) Chris Umana, Director of Legal Services, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice; ASP Sunday Eitokpah Akata, Police Public Relations Officer, Cross River State Command; and Dr. Enoch Ndem Okon, Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies, University of Calabar.
Moderators for the sessions included Dr. Jude Omakara Okoro, Editor-in-Chief of Beagles Newspaper and Senior Lecturer in Journalism and Media Studies, University of Calabar, alongside Dr. Efo-Ita Nyok.
The conference concluded with a renewed call for students, scholars, and young professionals to uphold academic integrity, moral excellence, and responsible leadership, reinforcing the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star’s commitment to nurturing ethical values and national development through education.
GALLERY AT Brotherhood of the Cross and Star Hosts 4th ABAS Mega Campus Conference on Academic and Moral Excellence
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