Forum accuses UNN of excluding Abia indigenes in appointments

By Agency Report

A scio-cultural organisation under the aegis of Abia Forum Nsukka (AFN) in University of Nigeria Nsukka, says indigenes from the Abia State have been excluded in top appointments in UNN.

Prof Jonah Onuoha, Director, Centre for American Studies UNN and pioneer President of AFN said this in Nsukka on Friday while delivering the forum  maiden lecture series .

Titled: "The Last Kick of a Dieing Horse: An inquiry into the challenges and way forward for Abia Forum, UNN."

Onuoha said to ensure balance, equity and fair play, the position of vice chancellor and other key offices in UNN shoud be rotated among the state within the catchment areas of the university.

He said that Abia State has about 100 well trained, international competitive and highly experience erudite professors who can occupy any key positions.

"We wonder why competent indigens of Abia are excluded key appointments.

"The peace we enjoy in university may not last if other states from the catchment areas are not allowed to hold top positions in the University.

"I urge stakeholders in the university to rethink and accommodate others within the catchment areas in key appointments so as to give everybody sense of belonging," he said.

Speaking further Onuoha alleged that Abia indigens hardly benefit from contracts, employments and other benefits due to catchment areas of the university.

"Verious vice chancellors of the university have found one reason or the other to exclude Abians in the appointment of critical offices in the university,

"Such as vice chancellor, deputy vice chancellors, deans of faculties, among others.

"Members of the forum are not benefiting from appointments and if nothing serious is done to change the narrative, the forum may perhaps be giving it's last kick as a dieing horse," he said.

The Don recalled that history had revealed that even though the idea to establish UNN came from Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first President of Nigeria.

He noted that, then Eastern region under the leadership of late Dr. Michael Okpala provided the fund  that made the project feasible.

"Okpala was from Abia, one will then wonder why Abians are being marginalised in UNN.

"Abia indigens played a domineering role in the growth and development of UNN as the first indigenous  university.

"Since Abia state produced the 9th Vice-chancellor, in the person of Prof Oleke Udeala who
served from 1992 to 1995, no person from the state has occupied the position of UNN-VC, "he said.

The pioneer President commended members of AFN working in UNN for thier dedication in spite  being excluded from occupying top positions in the university and urged them to keep it up.

In a remark, Prof. Charles Igwe, the VC of UNN commended the contribution of Abia indigens to the university, especially the likes of Emeritus Prof. Okoro Ijeomah, among other.

The VC pledged that he would  use his remaining time in office to change the narrative.

"I assure you, it will never be the same again, most of Abia people like, Prof Ijeomah have given me useful advice that helped me.

"With the caliber of people you have, Abia indigens should not be taken for granted," the VC said.

Earlier, Prof. Okechukwi Nwaubani, the President of AFN said that the lecture which is the first in the series of the forum is historic, visionary, and one of the ways to sensitize Abians living in the university.

"The mission of the forum is to promote unity, mutual relationship, and sense of togetherness.

"Today's lecture is very important and significant to the forum because of the zeal the forum has in placing Abia state in it's rightful place in scheme of things especially in UNN.

"Today is a clear testimony that the forum is gradually rising up to the challenges confronting her quest to the welfare and exclusion of Abia indigens in UNN," he said.

The president noted that the median lecturer, Prof Onuoha was the founder and pioneer President of  AFN.  an erudite professor and an  illustrious son of Abia.

"This lecture will enable us to articulate why we are, where we are today and how to chart a way forward in ensuring that Abians in this university where given their rightful place ," he said.

Nwaubani commended Abians who identified with  the forum, and experienced concern why other Abians in Nsukka is yet to identify with the forum.

"I commend in a especial way  elders from Abia in Nsukka who have been supportive to the forum.

He expressed his appreciation to the Vice Chancellor of UNN for honouring their invitation, saying that that speaks  volume of love he has for Abia people.

"The forum will continue to give maximum support and cooperation to his administration," he said.
NAN.