The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, has petitioned President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the institution’s 57th inaugural lecture, scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
In the petition, ASUU called for the cancellation of the lecture, alleging irregularities surrounding the professorship of the scheduled inaugural lecturer, Professor Raphael Echebiri.
A statement signed by M. Ugwuene, chairperson of ASUU-MOUAU, and E. C. Osodeke, secretary of the union, claimed that Echebiri’s professorship, initially granted during the administration of former Vice Chancellor Professor Hilary Edeoga, was later revoked. They further alleged that the current administration reinstated Echebiri’s promotion without addressing concerns raised in the past.
The union referenced a letter sent to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Maduebibisi Iwe, on August 26, 2024, reminding him of a report by the MOUAU Visitation Panel. According to the report, Echebiri’s promotion had not followed due process.
“We demand that the inaugural lecture be cancelled and that the Vice Chancellor refrain from promoting illegality within the university. Such actions risk taking the university back to an era of impunity and tarnishing its public image,” the ASUU statement read.
In response, Ubadire Agua, Head of the Public Relations Unit at MOUAU, dismissed ASUU’s claims, stating that the university’s Senate, which includes ASUU members, had approved Professor Echebiri as the inaugural lecturer.
Agua defended the Vice Chancellor, describing him as a man committed to peace and institutional development. He affirmed that the lecture would proceed as scheduled, emphasising that the current atmosphere of peace and progress at MOUAU should not be disrupted.
“The inaugural lecture will hold as planned. The Vice Chancellor has always prioritised fairness and the overall good of the institution,” Agua stated.
The disagreement has sparked concerns about the impact of internal disputes on the institution’s reputation and governance, drawing attention to broader issues of transparency and due process in academia.
