ASUU (The Academic Staff Union of Universities) at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) has petitioned President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the institution’s 57th inaugural lecture.
The lecture, scheduled for December 11, 2024, has been marred by controversy surrounding the professorship of the inaugural lecturer, Professor Raphael Echebiri.
According to ASUU, Echebiri’s professorship was initially granted during the administration of former Vice Chancellor Professor Hilary Edeoga but was later revoked.
The union alleges that the current administration reinstated Echebiri’s promotion without addressing concerns raised in the past.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities referenced a report by the MOUAU Visitation Panel, which stated that Echebiri’s promotion did not follow due process.
The union demands that the inaugural lecture be cancelled and that the Vice Chancellor refrain from promoting illegality within the university.
In response, MOUAU’s Public Relations Unit Head, Ubadire Agua, dismissed ASUU’s claims, stating that the university’s Senate had approved Professor Echebiri as the inaugural lecturer.
Agua defended the Vice Chancellor, describing him as a man committed to peace and institutional development.
The disagreement has sparked concerns about the impact of internal disputes on the institution’s reputation and governance.
The controversy has drawn attention to broader issues of transparency and due process in academia.
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