Education
CLO Petitions EFCC Over Alleged Fraud In UNN
Members of Civil Liber
ties Organisation (CLO), South East Zone have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to investigate the alleged massive embezzlement and other forms of corruption perpetrated by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, (UNN), Nsukka, Enugu State Professor Bartholomew Okolo.
Copies of the petition which was signed by the Zonal Director of CLO, Barrister Olu Omotayo, was also made available to newsmen in Enugu.
According to them, “the Vice Chancellor swindled the University funds running into billions of naira by awarding contracts to five non existing companies such as Enwerem and Sons Enterprises, Ottamo Trading Company, Ozetech Metal Construction, Noble Tech Aluminum Industry, and Chronicle Computers and Communications”.
Their words: “It is unheard of, anywhere in the world that a Vice Chancellor of a university will award contracts running into billions of naira to non existing companies. Our Findings at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), show that these five companies are not registered companies in Nigeria”.
“They are non-existent and are mere phantom companies through which the Vice Chancellor swindled billions of naira. Apart from this, another medium through which Professor Bartho Okolo perpetrated massive fraud is the deduction at source of N2,000.00 from the salaries of all the staff of the university without their consent as internet charges”.
“ Each staff pays the sum of N24, 000.00 annually while students are made to pay N18, 000 for the so called internet services, and these moneys are paid to unknown bank account and diverted by the Vice Chancellor”.
Continuing, the aggrieved CLO members said “It is our belief that the EFCC will not shirk away in its responsibility and ensure that justice is done in respect of this matter. We demand an urgent and thorough investigation and urge the Commission to leave no stone unturned to ensure that justice is done in respect of this matter as the circumstance of this case demands”, they further pleaded.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the need for students to go beyond academic achievements during the university’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The theme, “The University Culture In Practice, The IAUE Experience,” highlights the importance of embracing cherished traditions and intellectual values that define great universities.
Prof. Onuchuku encouraged the new graduates to work hard and persevere, noting that their convocation marks a new beginning in their careers and personal lives. He emphasised that they must prove themselves worthy of the certificates and prizes they have received.
According to him, out of 2,887 first-degree graduands, four made First Class, 403 secured Second Class Upper, 2,030 got Second Class Lower, and 450 graduated with Third Class. Additionally, 1,492 postgraduate students graduated, including 306 PhD holders.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), praised the university’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional maturity. He commended the Acting Vice Chancellor for achieving full accreditation for 47 academic programmes and implementing the NUC’s Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards.
The administrator urged the new graduates to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and strive for continuous knowledge and improvement.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Students Union Government, Rivers State Chapter (NIDSUG), has suspended its planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) state office in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed an intervention by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The students had planned to protest on Thursday, citing alleged neglect by the NDDC, particularly in welfare and capacity-building programmes for students from the state. However, after the police intervention, the students agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with the commission to address their concerns.
NIDSUG leader, Comrade Loveday Njoku, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s alleged exclusion of students from benefiting from its programmes. He presented a seven-point demand, including the reintroduction of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Njoku emphasised that education is crucial for community development and urged the commission to invest in the future leaders of the state.
The students warned that if their demands are not met, they will resume the protest and occupy the state commission office until their demands are addressed. Despite previous attempts to reach out to the commission’s management team, the students claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
By: Akujobi Amadi
As part of efforts to improve the welfare and overall quality of education for students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Sir (Dr.) Clifford Ndu Walter DSSRS, FCAI, JP, paid an unscheduled visit to Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi.
During the visit, Sir Walter expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the school and its surrounding environment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector, stressing its critical role in nation-building.
“I have visited the primary school in Ogbogoro, and now I’m here at the Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi. I am not satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he stated, indicating that more surprise visits to schools would follow.
To address the issues, the Sole Administrator directed the Council Engineer to commence process for rehabilitation of the school.
The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at conducting on-the-spot assessments of educational facilities to determine the level of intervention required by the local government council.
Dr. Walter also assured the teachers of his unwavering commitment to revamp the school and improve the learning environment for both staff and students.