Angered by the two-year delay by Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), in the release of the promotion of their son, Dr Philips Nto, to the rank of professor, a pressure group has threatened to physically occupy the institution until justice is done.
The pressure group, Old Bende Young Professionals, in a statement issued in Umuahia, described the situation as a grave injustice and victimisation of their son, Dr Philips Nto, allegedly orchestrated by the Chairman of the Governing Council of MOUAU, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, over the non-release of his promotion, which has been due since 2021.
They also argued that it was a collective insult and provocative to the people of Abia State for an Enugu indigene to come to the state and oppress an indigene of Abia State.
In the statement signed by the Chairman of the group, Barr. Chima Ogbonna, and the Secretary, Chief Dike Okwara, the group gave the Council Chairman an ultimatum to either approve or reject the promotion of Dr Philips Nto at the next council meeting or face massive protests.
“The lamentation of our hardworking son over the unjust delay in releasing his promotion, when his peers and even juniors have been promoted to professors, was heartbreaking and provocative. We could not believe that a man from Enugu State would come to Abia to oppress an indigene,” they declared.
They disclosed that they were aware of people in MOUAU who were promoted to professors without even supervising any postgraduate student, while Nto, who has discharged his duties creditably, was being punished over the internal politics of Enugu State.
They maintained that their extensive investigation revealed that Edeh is deliberately frustrating Dr Nto out of personal bias and vendetta, and not because he lacks the required qualifications.
They said it was ironical that while Abia staff in MOUAU had given Edeh support since he arrived at the institution, he had turned around to victimise “one of our brightest stars.”
“Dr Philips Nto is a prominent son of Abia who has served as a Commissioner and Provost of a school. We cannot stand by and watch anyone rubbish his unblemished career and reputation,” they averred.
While calling on the Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Mbah, to call Edeh to order to avoid interstate disorder, the group resolved to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.
“We are set for the mother of all protests to occupy MOUAU if Dr Philips Nto’s promotion is not released at the next sitting of the Council. We have other follow-ups. Edeh should not set the peaceful institution on fire because of his selfish and vindictive goal,” they warned.
