The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UNICAL

  • UNICAL, German firm partner on power

    Vice Chancellor (VC), University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof Zana Akpagu, has assured the university community of constant electricity power supply following the inauguration of a solar energy project in the institution.

    Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the VC said the project, being carried out in partnership with the Republic of Germany, was the most historic in his administration.

    Akpagu, who identified power as a major impediment to the institution’s growth, said when completed, the project would save the university about N600million yearly, being spent on diesel.

    He assured that his administration will ensure that the project comes to fruition, as power forms the nucleus of its activities, especially in research.

    To this end, he said the university incorporated the UniCal Solar Energy Company as the Special Purpose Vehicle for the project.

    Akpagu, who praised the initiative of the Yar’Adua government that established the Nigerian-German Energy Partnership, described the ceremony as a major milestone in the bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Germany.

    He said the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) are the initial uptakers of the project.

    The Consul-General of Germany, Herr Inglo Herbert, congratulated the VC on his vision, saying that solar energy would provide an alternative source of power for research.

    “This project is the future of this great institution because everything in the university requires power. It is fundamental to education. Our commitment is to make it happen,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the Technical Partners, Cantata Solar Limited, Mr Jeremy Gains, also the coordinator of the project, said UNICAL, though the last university to come on board the solar energy project, moved well ahead of the first nine universities because of the commitment, drive and passion of the VC and his team.

    He explained that though Calabar has high volume of rainfall throughout the year, the city is also blessed with high solar radiation, which makes it suitable for solar energy projects.

    Former Minister of Power, Dr. Lanre Babalola, lauded the VC for the initiative, describing the project as a dream come true.

    CRUTECH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Thomas Agan, expressed delight at the prospect of having constant power supply at the hospital.

    Agan lamented that epileptic power supply had been a major challenge in the teaching hospital, and promised to cooperate with the varsity  in discharging the hospital’s financial obligations as soon as the project came on stream.

  • NDDC Pledges Support for Niger Delta Universities

    NDDC Pledges Support for Niger Delta Universities

    The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has stated its resolve to support the development of infrastructure in universities and polytechnics across the Niger Delta.
    The Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba stated this during a courtesy visit by the Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar [UNICAL], Prof. Zana Itiunbe Akpagu, at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.
    Senator Ndoma-Egba said that the main resource of any society could be found in its youths and not the natural resources or minerals. For this reason, he said, the youths must be skilled, motivated, educated and empowered. “If the youths are not properly educated, skilled or motivated, rather than be a blessing to the society, they become a curse,” he noted.
    He remarked: “We are concerned that our youths must remain a resource and not a curse to our region. That is why we are partnering with universities and higher institutions in the Niger Delta region to educate and produce some of the best minds the country will have to offer.”
    Senator Ndom-Egba said that the NDDC was making efforts to ensure that all on-going projects in the universities in the Niger Delta states were completed, especially in the University of Calabar being one of the oldest universities in the South-South.
    The NDDC board Chairman assured the UNICAL VC, that the Faculty of Law building which was on-going, would not only be completed, but would also be furnished, and would stand out to be one of the best Faculties in the country.
    Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. Akpagu, thanked the Commission for all its interventions in his University and all other universities in the Niger Delta.
     He appealed to the Commission to intervene in its building of an Ultra Modem Medical Center, noting that since the inception of the university in 1975, the Centre had operated from a 4-room apartment, but with the current population of 46,000 students, the facility had become grossly inadequate.
    He also pleaded with the Commission for a massive expansion, stating that UNICAL was the only Second Generation University without an Engineering Faculty.
     He further pleaded for a provision of a Proper Senate building, stressing that the current Senate building was built to accommodate 5 Senate members, but the School had grown and currently had 450 Senate members.
  • Two bag First Class as unical inducts 80

    Two bag First Class as unical inducts 80

    The University of Calabar (UNICAL) International Conference Centre was filled. The event was the induction of the new Medical Laboratory Scientists.

    The Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Zana Akpagu, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Academics, Prof. Florence Obi, described the occasion as epoch- making.

    “Medical laboratory science is a noble profession and must be practised with all form of proficiency,” she noted. She charged the graduates to represent the institution well and ensure they put into practice (best practice) what they had learnt.

    UNICAL’s Head of Medical Laboratory Science Department Prof. A. A. A. Alaribe, said 80 graduates completed their studies and were worthy to be inducted into the Medical Laboratory Science Association of Nigeria. He said of the number, two made First Class. They were Nehemiah Emono Dankano and Usungise Peace Bassey.

    Dankano, an indigene of Taraba State, was the overall Best Graduating Student with a CGPA of 4.78 while Usungise Peace Bassey, from Akwa Ibom State, came second with a CGPA of 4.57.

    Dankano won the Best Graduating Student’s award, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria award, Best Graduating student award for Chemical Pathology.  Bassey won Best Graduating Student award from Haematology, Dr. Usanga’s Award while Ntem Patience Komommoh won Best graduating student award from Medical Microbiology, Udofia Nicholas won Prof. Lydia Abia-Bassey award in Medical Mycology. HOD’s Outstanding Innovative Award went to Alaribe Anthony Akabueze, Bassey won Ekemini Raymond award for graduating student Haematology, lastly Eworo Raymond won Entrepreneurship award.

    The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Mr. Tosan Erhabor, described the occasion as  special, especially for the inductees. He congratulated the inductees on their graduation.

    The highpoint of the event was the oath-taking, exchange of mementos by deserving students in various categories and presentation of practising licence by Erhabor.

    Speaking on behalf of the newly inductees, Dankano charged his coleagues to put the knowledge and ideas acquired into work. ‘’He applauded the school management under Prof. Zana’s watch for providing an enabling and conducive environment for effective learning which has aided them these accolades. He lauded the lecturers in the department and other departments domiciled in the medical college for the knowledge and skills instill in them, “finally to our proud parents and well wishers your support and encouragements has done us well”.

    Mr. Michael Monity led the inductees in taking the ceremonial three-bow of loyalty; first to the almighty God, School Management and lecturers, and to parents and sponsors.

  • NUGA: Eight universities seek semi-finals slots as football quarter-finals begin

    NUGA: Eight universities seek semi-finals slots as football quarter-finals begin

    Eight universities are to play for slots in the semi-finals of the ongoing 25th Nigerian Universities Games Association Games (NUGA) Games as the quarter-finals kick off later on Thursday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the universities that reached the knockout stage of the competition at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (UAM) are Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.

    ATBU on Wednesday defeated hard-fighting Lagos State University (LASU) 4-2 on penalties in their last group stage match.

    Other schools are UAM, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Delta State University (DELSU) and University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), LASU, University of Calabar (UNICAL) and North-West University, Kano.

    To reach the stage, UAM defeated UNILORIN 2-1, Kaduna State University (KASU) 2-0 and played goalless draw with FUTA to top their group with 7 points.

    FUTA also advanced to the knockout stage by playing a goalless draw against UAM, thrashed Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUT) 2-1 and drew 1-1 with KASU.

    DELSU playing in the same group with UNILORI and University of Lagos (UNILAG), walked over (UNILAG) and beat RSUT 3-1 to qualify from the group.

    UNILORIN that won no played match at the group stages also qualified because it walked over UNILAG.

    UNICAL qualified by beating Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) 1-0, while ATBU also won one match and drew one to qualify from their group.

    The quarter matches are expected to start on Thursday at the two football pitches at the UAM Sports Complex.

  • How Calabar viewing centre electrocution tragedy occurred

    How Calabar viewing centre electrocution tragedy occurred

    It was something football lovers in Nyaghassang Community in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State had done hundreds of times before – watching football matches at a popular viewing centre along Access High School Road.

    Little did they know that Thursday night, when Manchester United hosted Anderlecht in a return leg of the Europa League quarterfinal match, was going to turn out to be a great tragedy.

    A high-tension cable which according to a Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) official, was the UNICAL 11KV Feeder, fell on the viewing centre electrocuting many of the passionate football lovers who were in the building at about 9.30pm. Initial reports put the casualty figure at over 30, but when our correspondent got to the scene of the incident, several eyewitnesses said the number of people that died on the spot ranged between seven and 10.

    Chairman of the medical advisory committee of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Dr Ogbu Ngim, who represented the Chief Medical Director, Dr Thomas Agan, said  18 persons with various degrees of burns were brought to the hospital. He said seven were confirmed dead, while the remaining 11 were responding to treatment.

    It was observed that the viewing centre, constructed with zinc was located directly under the high-tension cable, just like many other buildings in the area. The cable fell on the building after an explosion from a transformer that was located nearby. It was estimated that the viewing centre could contain about 120 people.

    It was gathered that while the match was on the there was a loud explosion from the transformer and the power went out and the cable landed on the roof of the viewing centre. Quite curiously it was gathered that those watching the game were aware of the cable that landed on the roof, but being so eager to continue their match and thinking there was no current in the cable as the power had gone out, urged the owner of the centre to put on his generator.

    After the generator was put on they all went back inside to continue their match and then power was restored by PHEDC and the fire erupted in the building.

    According to someone who was inside the centre, the building seemed to be vibrating. In the pandemonium that ensued as many made for the exit, several of them got electrocuted. “As their bodies kept touching the zinc which had live electricity running through it and people’s bodies kept rubbing on other bodies in the confusion that is how the problem escalated,” an eyewitness described

    A young man who described himself as Innocent recounted, “I was inside the building when we heard the first explosion so some of us came outside and we saw the cable that had cut and fallen on the roof. In fact some people were passing under the cable as they were calling the owner of the viewing centre to put on the generator so that they can continue their match. When the generator was put on people went inside. What saved me was because I just stood outside waiting for the DSTV to finish loading. You know that DSTV normally takes time to load when it goes off. So I stood outside for some minutes and just as I was going inside to check if the match had restarted, I saw a close friend who was sitting in front of me, running out and his body touched the zinc wall and he fell to the ground. Before you know it people started running out in numbers, trying to get out of the door at the same time. That is how they were falling one after the other right in front of me. I saw my friend die before me and there was nothing I could do.

    “When it had died down, people came around to help remove the bodies. They were just pulling bodies out like logs of wood. It was like hell fire. This is something that would traumatize me for the rest of my life. Those that did not rush out during the incident are the ones that were safe. For me I counted eight people that died on the spot and they were six men and two women. Thank God it did not happen on the day Barcelona played Juventus or the day Chelsea played Man United, because the placed would have been more jam-packed and the causalities would have been.”

    Another young man who identified himself as Dominic said he had paid for the match and was watching when he got call from a friend to join him for a drink. “I had already paid my N50 and was watching the match. Then a friend of mine called me to join him at Doris O Hotel. So I left and joined him there. I even continued watching the match there. It was when I came back here that I saw the disaster that happened here. That call from my friend saved my life.”

    Mr Chris Abang, who also would have been in the viewing centre said he was delayed by his wife. “I had just come back from Ogoja and was in a hurry to go and watch the match. I am a Man U fan. So I could not wait to go and watch match. But my wife insisted that I stayed back and have something to eat. So I decided to listen to her and when I finished eating and was on my way to the viewing centre the whole incident happened right in front of me. My wife’s delay saved my life that yesterday.”

    But a certain Emmanuel Okon, who lost his life in the incident was not so lucky. According to his wife, Mary, being a Manchester United fan he left to watch the match despite her asking him to stay back and eat something.

    Speaking between sobs, she said, “I was boiling rice for him and then he decided to go and watch the match. I told him to stay back and eat but he said I should come and meet him when it was ready. When the incident happened I went there to look for him and when I found him he was not moving. There were bodies lying on the floor everywhere. I carried him with the help of his nephew, but he was not responding. His body was cold. With the help of a neighbour who is a taxi man, we carried him to the hospital where we were told he was dead.”

    The late Okon’s nephew Godswill Okon recounted in tears also, “That evening me and my uncle were just joking about the match. He is a Man U fan and I am a Chelsea fan. So we were playfully arguing and I told him Man U will lose. He said no way that they would win. So when it was time for the match, he called me to go with him and watch, but I felt somehow and decided not to go. Normally I would have been there to watch the game, but I suddenly did not feel too well. People were even surprised that I did not go to watch. While we were home that we heard and went out and I got there and saw my uncle dead. My uncle was a very loving and kind person. He was the one who was taking care of me. My school fees, accommodation, feeding, clothes, everything. I don’t know what I would do now he is gone. Who would come to our help?”

    Spokesperson of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) John Onyi, they were yet to ascertain the level of casualties. “We are not here to apportion blame but to investigate. It was UNICAL 11KV Feeder that snapped at that junction and fell on top of the roof. The viewing centre was in PHEDC’s right of way. There should be at least a 12.5 metre gap away from the high-tension cable. But as you can see now there are buildings right under the high-tension cable. Our investigations would include who gave approvals for buildings to be constructed under high tension cables. But like I said, we are not here for blame. Our condolences go to families that have been affected. We appeal for calm,” he said.

    Secretary of the Nyaghassang Qua Clan Council, Comrade Iso Basey Edim said it was unfair that the PHEDC did not bother to maintain their equipment, but were only interested in collecting money or disconnecting power. He urged that the government should do something about the situation.

    Cross River Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Esu, who visited the scene of the incident, commiserated with the victims and said the government would take care of the treatment of those affected by the incident. He said an investigation would be launched into the matter.

    Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Christian Ita, ordered the setting up of a commission of inquiry on the viewing center tragedy.

    Ayade, who also commiserated with the victims, described the incident as tragic and horrifying, said the state government will also offer assistance to the victims and their families.

     

  • Buhari to universities: Be prudent in funds management

    Buhari to universities: Be prudent in funds management

    President Muhammadu Buhari has charged federal universities to be prudent in the management of funds allocated to them in view of current economic challenges.

    Buhari gave the advice on Saturday at the 30th Convocation of the University of Calabar.

    Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Onwuka, Buhari said that his administration placed premium on the funding of education as a way to improve teaching and learning.

    According to him, in view of the present economic challenges, it is important for public universities to adopt prudent measures in spending the funds allocated to universities by the Federal Government.

    “As we all know, Nigeria is facing some economic challenges presently; I wish to advise federal universities to make judicious use of the funds allocated to them from the federal government for the development of their campuses.

    “The University of Calabar has fared very well in terms of infrastructural development and I must commend the university management for this,’’ he said.

    The president congratulated the graduands on the award of degrees to them and urged that they should be good ambassadors of the institution and Nigeria.
    Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Zana Akpagu, said that the institution graduated a total of 13,347 students in various fields of studies at the ceremony.

    Akpagu explained that 1,437 students were awarded post-graduate certificates while 11,910 got first degrees in different classes.

    He said that 22 students graduated with First Class degrees, adding that the University recorded a milestone in establishing the Faculty of Engineering which never existed since its establishment in 1978.

    He assured that the university would continue to leave up to its expectations in delivering quality academic services to students.

    On his part, the Pro-Chancellor of the University, Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, thanked the Federal Government for improving infrastructure in the school through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

    Iwunayanwu said that the support had helped in the physical development of the university.

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who was a guest at the occasion, donated the sum of N30 million as an educational support fund to the university’s Medical Centre, still under construction.

    Tambuwal commended the school management for infrastructural development and urged the graduands not to depend solely on white-collar jobs “but rather, be determined to be entrepreneurs”.

    Highlight of the occasion was the award of doctoral degrees “Honoris Causa” to Brig.-Gen. Anthony Ukpo (retd), Alhaji Ummarun Kwabo and Mr Daniel Chukwudozie for their contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.

  • Court dismisses ex- bursar’s suit against UNICAL

    The National Industrial Court sitting in Calabar has dismissed the suit filed by a former Bursar of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Mr. Peter Agi, challenging his suspension and eventual sack by the institution.

    Agi was suspended in August last year and eventually sacked by the management of institution in November same year over allegations of fraud among other accusations, and the bursar had dragged the school, the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar to court.

    Delivering judgment on the matter in Calabar, Justice Nneka M. Esowe said Agi’s suit was premature, having failed to comply with the internal dispute mechanisms as stipulated by University of Calabar Law no. 80 of 1979.

    Reacting to the ruling, counsel to the Vice Chancellor, Abiye Atururobibo, said, “We are happy that the court has done justice in this matter and has completely venerated our position which we always canvassed from the inception of this matter that Mr. Peter Agi’s action against the university is incompetent and  premature because he did not follow due process.

    “The University of Calabar has rules and the court has always emphasized that where there are internal mechanisms for reconciliation and resolution of matters. Those internal mechanisms should be pursued appropriately. Unfortunately in this matter, the Agi team did not explore these crucial avenues that are within the rules of the university and the court has vindicated our position by its ruling this afternoon on the suit Mr. Peter Agi had filed against the University of Calabar, the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar.”

    Counsel to Agi, Prof. Ogene Emeri, had among others argued that the university did not follow due process in the bursar’s suspension and eventual sack.

     

     

  • Akwa Ibom medical students in UNICAL seek grant payment

    National Association of Akwa Ibom Medical Students (NAAKIMS) of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), have appealed to Governor Udom Emmanuel to pay their grants.

    At the inauguration of the new executive council of the body, its President, Comrade John Emmanuel, said medical students had been denied their medical grants for five years.

    He said: “We are making a legitimate demand to the government of Akwa Ibom State to look into payment of medical grants to students. The sixth year students have only been paid once. This means the remaining five classes have never been beneficiaries.”

    He stressed the numerous challenges students face, especially in  financing their medical training, but with which such grant has been of help.

    “Such finances would help in offsetting expenses, such as school fees, accommodation, books, and feeding,” he said.

  • Bursar’s suspension sparks row in UNICAL

    Bursar’s suspension sparks row in UNICAL

    The suspension of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Bursar, Mr Peter Agi, by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Zana Akpagu, has sparked a row between students and workers. Some students nearly clashed with some workers who protested against Agi for what they called impersonation, gross misconduct and highhandedness. STANLEY UCHEGBU (Accounting) reports.

    CAN a Vice-Chancellor (VC) suspend  a Bursar without the Governing Council’s approval? This is the basis of a crisis at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), following the suspension of the Bursar, Mr Peter Agi, by the VC, Prof Zana Akpagu,for alleged gross misconduct, highhandedness, impersonation and absenteeism.

    The fallout of the crisis almost led to a fracas between students and an anti-Bursar group,   comprising workers and contractors, who shut the school gate during a protest.

    The confrontation was, however, averted. Thanks to the maturity displayed by the protesters led by the Protocol Officer, Mr Godwin Iyam.

    It was gathered that some students, led by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Daniel Joseph, held a solidarity protest for the embattled bursar, warning the anti-Bursar demonstrators not to destabilise the school. The students disrupted the protest at the Administrative Block.

    The aggrieved members of staff told the students to stay off the matter, saying their protest had nothing to do with academics. But, the students were adamant, screaming: “Peter Agi is our man”, “Mr P, na you be our own”, “UNICAL Bursar is our own”. It took the intervention of riot policemen to disperse the students, who vowed to oppose any move by the institution to suspend the Bursar.

    Some students criticised the SUG president’s action, urging the management to investigate the union’s protest.

    A 400-Level Microbiology student, who gave his name as Ini, said the protest was led by concerned students from Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State. The Bursar, Ini said, hails from the council. He criticised Daniel for using the union to settle ethnic issue, saying: “The SUG is for all students and not an ethnic megaphone for anyone.”

    Frank Okon, a 300-Level Economics student, said many students refused to join the protest, since it had nothing to do with students.

    The aggrieved staffers accused the Bursar of taking “unilateral decisions” without carrying the VC along. They also accused Agi of being selective in paying staff salaries and allowances, adding that he usually delayed payment to contractors.

    The management suspended activities of the union after the protest. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Daniel allegedly collected N200,000 from an unnamed person to disrupt the anti-Bursar protest.

    The letter of suspension of the union activities reads: “Following advice by Deputy Chief Security Officer of the university and other concerned staff that the students union should stay away from crisis involving some aggrieved staff and the Bursar, the students union refused to adhere to the advice and went ahead to mobilise students and miscreants to disrupt the peaceful protest organised by the staff.

    “The action resulted in a scuffle between your group and security personnel, some of whom sustained injuries and loss of their personal possessions, like wristwatches, wedding bands and cell phones.

    “In the light of the above, the students union leaders are hereby suspended from office with immediate effect, pending further actions by the university management. You are by this letter advised to handover all university property in your possession to the Deputy Chief Security Officer.”

    Daniel denied collecting money to stage the pro-Bursar protest. He said the union was concerned about attempts to destabilise the school.

    He said: “When I saw the aggrieved crowd at the administrative block, I gathered some students and rushed down with the union vehicle to intervene. On getting there, we were told the protest was not students’ matter or had anything to do with academic activities. But I insisted the protest should stop.

    “Then, some miscreants came from nowhere to disrupt the protest. The people who stage the pro-Bursa protest were not students.”

    Daniel said he had not received the letter suspending him.

    The Dean of Students Affairs (DSA), Prof Felix Akpan, told CAMPUSLIFE that he received the copy of the letter, saying Daniel was being mischievous to claim he did not see it.

    The DSA brought out the letter and showed our correspondent where the suspended union president appended his signature.

    The management has set up a panel to probe the students’ involvement in the protest.

    However, the crisis of confidence raging in the school Administrative Block took another turn last Friday when the Registrar, Mr Moses Abang, released a letter suspending the Bursar for allegedly “impersonating the VC on the e-payment platform of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)”, among others.

    The letter was dated August 22 and reads: “In an emergency meeting held today, August 22, 2016, the management considered recent developments on campus, especially your arrest by the Nigeria Police vide letter no. AB: 3621/ CRS/DFA/VOL.T/123 of August 17, 2016, on allegations of fraud, forgery and threat to life. It has become imperative that you step aside as Bursar and clear yourself of these allegations.

    “And that you have been impersonating the Vice-Chancellor on the CBN e-payment platform by making final approvals and payments, a duty that is the responsibility of the Vice-Chancellor, who is the Chief Accounting Officer of the university.

    “Again, you made yourself absent from office without requesting any of your deputies to act in your capacity, thus creating a vacuum in the administration. You deliberately refused to purchase an official car for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, eight months after he was appointed into office. You have ignored several Governing Council and management directives on this.

    “You bluntly refused to pay TETFund contractors who have successfully executed jobs and rendered services to the university, even when such contractors have been cleared for payments. The consequence of this is that, while other universities are already making progress and accessing the 2015 allocation, the University of Calabar cannot exhaust the 2013 allocation to qualify for the next tranche.”

    The institution directed Agi to handover immediately to Mrs Atim Mensah, the most senior Deputy Bursar, while Mr Joseph Odum was asked to step into the position left by Mensah.

    When the news filtered in that the Agi had been suspended, staff members went wild with jubilation. They described Agi as a “cog in the wheel of the university’s progress”. They listed several accusations against the embattled Bursar, including withholding staff’s legitimate entitlements and refusal to remit salary deductions to Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society.

    Agi denied all allegations against him, saying he was not aware of his suspension. He said: “I’m not aware of any suspension. I have not been issued a query. I’m aware of the guideline and rules on procedures in the appointment, suspension or otherwise of any principal officer of the university. I am currently on sick break and I wrote a letter to that effect, copying all principal officers. So, for anybody to say that I am suspended without following the civil service rules amounts to nothing. I am still the Bursar.”

    The Registrar denied the institution was aware of Agi’s sick leave. CAMPUSLFE gathered that effort to serve Agi his letter failed, as he had instructed his domestic staff not to receive any letter on his behalf.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the Governing Council Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, had called for a meeting this week.