- Warns against cults, indecent dressing on campus
By Onwukwe Ezeru
Special Correspondent, Umuahia
Vice Chancellor Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Professor Francis Otunta, has denied the allegation of corruption made against him bythe National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
NANS President, Chinonso Obasi, had asked him to resign for an alleged corruption and maladministration, but Otunta urged the public to disregard the call, saying Obasi “was impersonating the position of NANS president.”
He described the allegation as false and an attempt to disparage him, alleging that Chinonso cheated in examinations when he was the rector of Akanu Ibiam Polytechnic and was punished, for which he is now engaging in blackmail.
Otunta said his record at the polytechnic shows his competence and prudent application of funds, which he has started to replicable in MOUAU to right the wrongs of past administrations.
He asked security agents to arrest Chinonso for parading himself as NANS president.
On courses in MOUAU not accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC), he said students in the affected departments have been relocated to other departments where they are qualified.
He promised not to sack staff employed by his predecessor over the illegality.
He confirmed that the claim by Professor Maduike Ezeibe, the head of the department of veterinary, that he discovered a cure of HIV/AIDS is correct, because “his research was tested correct and he presented it to the university senate.”
However, Health Minister, Isaac Adewole, has asked the public to ignore the claim because it lacks ethical approval.
MOUAU matriculates 5,615
MOUAU has matriculated 5,615 students for various programmes in the current academic session.
Otunta disclosed the figure at the school’s 24th matriculation, pointing out that it covered the quota of 4,300 plus 30 per cent attrition value decided by the senate.
He expressed delight that in spite of the closure of some departments by the NUC, the school was able to meet its allotted quota.
He said it was also gratifying that the admission process was adjudged “as one devoid of racketeering and other unwholesome practices.”
In his view, MOUAU “is rapidly evolving as a centre of excellence, where training, research and community service” are pursued to achieve national development goals.
He charged the new students to abide by the rules and guidelines of the university to promote orderly conduct and peaceful co-existence.
Warning against cults, indecent dressing
Although the university provided a lot of freedom, Otunta noted, students are “presumed to be adults capable of self control and ability to take decisions independently.
“However, this freedom is exercised within the ambit of the regulations governing the university.”
He implored the students to shun anti-social behaviour such as examination malpractices and cultism, warning that the university has zero tolerance for cult and would never condone examination malpractices.
“Cultism is a social menace that has eaten deep into the fabric of the society and it also serves as a breeding ground for criminal elements in society.
“Shun cultism, our university has no space for it, and no tolerance for cult members and cultism in its entirety.”
Otunta also warned against indecent dressing saying measures have been initiated to enforce a dress code to check prostitution among the female students.
He said prostitution is “either for pecuniary interest or to hoodwink lecturers into awarding undeserved marks to students.”
