By Frank Kamuntu

Victoria University has today celebrated the life of the late Dr. Jerome Martin Okec Aliker who died yesterday at 95.

According to the University’s Vice Chancellor Prof Lawrence Muganga, Dr Aliker was their chancellor from 2013-2019.

Muganga in his remarks hailed the deceased as the most dedicated servant the country has ever had.

”Dr Aliker laid a strong foundation for us, he did a lot for the success of this University, and that’s why we found it so important to celebrate him today,” noted Muganga who went on to note that the University and the entire administration will always remember his good services.

On his part, former Vice Chancellor Dr. Stephen R. Isabalija shared his heartfelt experience with the late, regarding him as someone who stood for integrity, passion and self-driven to make education thrive.

Speaking at the memorial event, Prof. John Opuda-Asibo, the successor to the Late Dr. Jerome, said, he first encountered in 2013, he saw a council led by members and a great Leader (Dr. Aliker) who was simple and with humility.

Opuda noted that Dr. Aliker embodied the educational values of hope (having hope that education will create the change one seeks), and competence, which element will enable students’ endeavour that they should above all realize performance, patience and the value of independence and called upon VU students not to always look out to their parents but rather look out for themselves.

Later on, the University administration dedicated a poem to late Aliker which was composed by University secretary Mary Goretti Katusabe-Ssemwezi.

The poem was titled, ‘Mr Chancellor Sir, You Were You’; read it below;

Mr. Chancellor Sir,
You held Victoria University from the cradle
Tenderly as a loving mother and
Steered her out of the labyrinth
You gave it your all
Because you were you

We are because we are a piece of you
God favoured us among many and
Gave us a Chancellor
With a personality more valuable than rhodium
A personality so rare yet rearing many
Because you were you

Whispers and whistles of acclaim,
Citations and recitations of your achievements
Both visible and invisible
Ring loud but tenderly in our ears and
Boldly like the Tororo Rock
They stand before our eyes
Because you were you

Let us proclaim it
On the top of the roofs and mountains;
Work, hard work spiced with integrity
Performed with dignity
With the flavor of honesty
And refreshing candour
These were the hallmarks of your career
Because you remained you

Son of the Chief
You touched firms and firmly so
Touched the slave and Master
Touched the young and the old
Touched the high and mighty
But remained you
Because you were you.

You served Victoria University
You served the nation
You served mankind
Because you were you
The blasts of age and ill health
Did not make you wither
Rest in Peace
Peaceful, silent Roaring Lion of Acholi
Because you were you!

See Pictorial Below; Victoria University Remembering Late Aliker