News
Why We Confirmed Fakae, RSUST VC
The Rivers State Government has explained the reasons why it took the bold initiative to confirm the appointment of Prof Barineme Beke Fakae as vice chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, pulling the rug off the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) demand for a substantive vice chancellor of the premier university.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, George Feyii, yesterday, the government said it approved the substantive appointment of Fakae for a second tenure in conformity with the provisions of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Law, through a joint selection committee of members of Governing Council and Senate, set up for the purpose.
According to the statement, the committee shortlisted five candidates: Professors B. Onuegbu, M. Ahiakwo, N. Lale, B.B. Fakae and C. Enyinda for the position, adding that at the end of the selection process, only Professors B.B. Fakae and C. Enyinda were forwarded to the Visitor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi for consideration and appointment as vice chancellor.
Feyii explained that having taken into consideration all the dynamics of the office and the underlining intrigues preceding the nomination of the candidates, the governor, in exercise of his discretionary powers, chose Prof Barineme Beke Fakae.
Making further clarifications on the process leading to the announcement of the reappointment of Fakae, the government said that it was discovered that Professors Onuegbu, Ahiakwo, and Lale, who were also candidates in the selection process were involved in the nomination of members of the joint selection committee.
Specifically, the government pointed out that Professors Onuegbu and Ahiakwo nominated Professors Ogburia and S. Amadi as members of the joint selection committee while Professors Lale and Ahiakwo, who were members of the Governing Council nominated Amabipi Martins, Mrs Matilda Nondim, Chief Nemi Adoki, Deacon Abigo and Chief Wike into the joint selection committee.
“As candidates for the position of the vice chancellor, they are barred morally and legally from participating in the process of the selection of persons to be nominated into the body to determine their suitability as vice chancellors,” the government explained, adding that for this reason, “Professors Onuegbu, Ahiakwo and Lale were therefore disqualified from contesting for the position of vice chancellor.
“The fact that they were allowed to stand for the selection and were interviewed did not cure the initial defect and substantive disability,” the government said, stressing that, “the principle to be protected here is that, a candidate cannot choose his own judge.”
The statement further indicated that contrary to claims being made by ASUU and some other elements, in an attempt to deliberately misinform and mislead the public, the appointment of Professor Barineme Beke Fakae as vice chancellor was done in accordance with due process.
The government highlighted other factors which boosted Professor Fakae’s credentials to include the fact that although his appointment in 2008 was challenged by ASUU, that suit was struck out for lack of merit.
Others are the fact that on assumption of office in 2008, less than 20 per cent of courses run by RSUST had Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation but at the expiration of Fakae’s first tenure, 100 per cent of courses run by the university had been accredited.
The government said it was proud that “out of 124 universities in the country, RSUST is not only among the top 27 considered qualified for visitation by NUC for the purposes of institutional accreditation but it is now institutionally accredited with an impressive score of 67.25 per cent, and rated “A” in the second category to operate as a university for the next five years.”
In addition, the government said that Rivers people happy that “RSUST has moved up from 76th position on the World Webometric Rating of Nigerian universities to the 19th position,” emphasizing that cultism, which was at its highest peak some years ago, leading to the death of students in their numbers, has been stamped out completely.
The statement restated the government’s commitment to achieving excellence in education at all levels as evident in the educational programmes being pursued by the administration, adding that the governor respects and upholds the rule of law, and has strived to conduct the affairs of the state according to law.
The government, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders including ASUU to embrace measures that will ensure the return of students and lecturers to the classrooms in the overall interest of the state’s future educational development.
Nelson Chukwudi
The newly inaugurated Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Obarilormate Ollor, has gone to ‘Cocaine village’ at Eleme Trailer Park to execute Governor Nyesom Wike’s quit order on residents of the illegal settlement when he made a shock discovery in one of the rooms.
Ollor had visited the area notorious for drugs and crimes, last Sunday, along with some security personnel to serve the quit notice on residents but met the area deserted—an indication that someone had alerted them about the visit.
Out of curiosity, the chairman opened one of the rooms in the ghetto-like settlement, and found the bloodstained uniform of a soldier, his knife and ATM card.
The chairman and his entourage had expressed suspicion that criminals in the area had killed the owner of the uniform and robbed him.
Ollor said, “Remember that a week ago, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, gave a directive that all illegal structures be removed. As the chief security officer of the local government, I am under that obligation.
“What we are doing here today is to inform them in advance and to remind them that the ultimatum still holds. So, on or before June 26, they should move out.
“What we have here is a mixed population of criminals, armed robbers, drug dealers, and even those who allegedly trade in human parts. Right now, we just found the uniform of an Army man who probably may have been killed. His blood all over the room and uniform, his knife and ATM card, which we have given to the police.”
The Rivers State Police Command has reportedly swung into action to unravel the perpetrators of the alleged crime.
Spokesman of the police, SP Nnamdi Omoni, said that the command had received reports about criminal activities in the area, including the alleged killing of a soldier.
Omoni said, “We have gotten complaints and reports of drug traffickers, criminal elements, human organ dealers, kidnappers and more from there.
“Though we have been carrying out investigation into all of the reports but thank God, we now have a good lead and evidence.
“We have been mandated by the state government to carry out massive arrest within the environs to ensure we arrest and prosecute all those persons involved.”
Residents said that the ‘Cocaine village’ is a haven for drug dealers and users, adding that security operatives also patronize the area.
An aide of the Eleme LG chairman, who spoke off-the-record said, “The governor received an intelligence report that the slum harbours criminals and drug addicts who carry out series of crimes, human organ trafficking, abductions and many other criminal acts in the LGA and state at large.
“We learnt also that some security men troop in there off and on to buy drugs and indulge in one crime or the other.
“The military uniform stained with blood, knife and motorcycle discovered were found in one of the rooms we opened.
“The badge of the military uniform was removed and there were heavy blood stains on the uniform.
“We went there with some police men as assigned to us by the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Eboka Friday”, he added.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says that his administration has fearlessly tackled insecurity headlong and created an enabling climate for smooth delivery of quality development projects.
Wike made the assertion at the inauguration of 16.2-kilometre long Omueze-Umuogba-Umuokpurukpu-Umueke-Umunju-Eberi Road project in Omuma Local Government Area of the state, yesterday.
The governor noted that while other states of the country were still struggling with issues of insecurity, Rivers State was witnessing harvest of development projects with the non-stop inauguration and flag-off ceremonies to their amazement.
“Don’t fight anybody that God has blessed. Don’t fight the state that God has blessed. People are talking about insecurity. We are talking about commissioning and flagging-off of projects. Is it easy? If it is easy, let them try it.”
Wike asserted that it is only states controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) like Rivers that has created a peaceful climate for the citizens while the government delivers democratic dividends.
“Those who say they don’t like what PDP is doing, they have no choice but to like it. You can see what the party (PDP) is doing. We are flagging-off and commissioning projects. Whether they like it or not, we are in charge.”
The governor said it is obvious that Rivers State is no longer on the same level with states that cannot provide dividend of democracy to their people.
Wike said the performance of his administration has restored confidence in Rivers people and they can walk with their heads raised high.
“Rivers people, are you not proud of your state? If you’re a Rivers man, anywhere you go, raise your shoulder high and say that you’re a Rivers man and woman. “They (other parties) can only jealous us, but they cannot do anything. We are of different class. We are not on the same level with them.”
Speaking further, Wike commended the member representing Omuma State Constituency, Hon. KelechiNwogufor his loyalty to PDP.
He also extolled him for his commitment to the welfare of Omuma people and being a trusted ally to him.
At the behest of Nwogu, Wike promised Omuma people that his administration would reconstruct the Umuakali-Eberi Road in appreciation of their support to the PDP.
Inaugurating the project, former President of the Senate, Senator Adolphus Wabara, noted how Wike has redefined governance and broken the jinx of non-performance associated with second tenure governors.
According to him, the approach to development that the governor has adopted stands him out as a much sought-after leader who should be consulted in solving critical national issues related to governance.
“With my experience in elective politics, second terms of most governors are dull; some governors will just go to sleep because they don’t have anything to offer. But you are still commissioning projects, as if you’re not even going to leave.
“Your developmental approach, your developmental plans, and formula should make you an international consultant to the failing government. Because, quite frankly, the magic, I mean, nobody knows except you. You do it with ease, you do it with happiness.”
Providing the description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, EllokaTasie-Amadi said the Omueze-Umuogba-Umuokpurukpu-Umueke-Umunju-Eberi link road in Omuma Local Government Area was another genuine efforts of the Wike administration to ease the transportation difficulties experienced by rural dwellers in the Omuma.
“Many of these rural projects go unsung probably because the residents are not social media savvy, as in the case of Omuma, who are predominantly farmers, or probably because SM activities are not a part of their past times as it is with city dwellers.
“It may shock you to know that for every kilometre of road we have built in the city we have built 12kms or more in the rural areas. This is a conservative estimate I would like you to ponder upon when you get home.”
He further stated, “This project is a 16.2km long, 10.3m wide road project which has 4.3km of drains. The roads are marked and have a total of 27 road signs to aid driving and enhance public safety.”
All is now set for the flag-off of the Abonnema/Obonoma Sandfilling project in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, yesterday, said that, “the project will sandfill 42 hectares of land that will help expand Abonnema and Obonoma Towns.
“It is in fulfilment of the promise made by Governor Nyesom Wike during the commissioning of the Abonnema Ring Road”.
The statement further added that, “The rich culture and tradition of the Kalabaris will be fully on display at the event.
“Please, note that all Covid-19 protocols will be observed at the event”, it stressed.
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