We are not benefiting from Ojukwu Varsity, Igbariam Community tells Obiano

The newly elected President General of Igbariam Community in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, where Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), is located, Dr Chris Ofokansi, has called on the State Governor, Willie Obiano, to task management of the university to look into operations of the school administrative system, in terms of land fees, employment and other benefits, as royalties to the host community.

He said since the siting of the university in the year 20000, indigenes of Igbariam Community, has not been given employment, whether as Messengers or Cleaners and the little ones that got it politically, has remained stagnant without any promotion.

The PG described the situation as very unfortunate.

It was gathered that the university that was then called, Anambra State University of Science and Technology, established by law No. 13 of 2000 by the Anambra State Government. The university has conceived a 2-Campus structure with the main campus of the university located at Uli in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

And by the Anambra State University Amendment Law No. ANHA/LAW/2006/01 of 26th January 2006, the name of the University has changed to Anambra State University with it Administration Headquarters at Igbariam Community.

In 2014, Governor Peter Obi, changed the name of Anambra State University to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University (COOU). during the posthumous anniversary celebration of the 80th birthday of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, at the permanent site of the university, at Igbariam.

Speaking further to journalists, shortly after his victory at the keenly contest, Dr. Ofokansi, expressed the hope that the incoming administration of Professor Charles Soludo, will look into the matter with almost priority.

According to him, since the university was located in our land, we have not benefited anything from the school. We have unemployed graduates, energetic young men/women who can work, but the School Management have refused to employed them. The only benefit we got, is the name that the university is located at Igbariam Community. No matter how the school is being managed, be it politically or otherwise, the host community should be consider first in term of employment and promotion for those that were luckily employed, he quipped.

He urged his people to always clamour for peace.

Reacting to the development, on a telephone interview with our Correspondent, the Public Relations Officer, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Professor Chukwueloka Christian, described the statement as fallacious, ill-conceived and embarrassing to the university community.

According to him, the university is conceived of two campuses, Uli, in Anambra South Senatorial District and Igbariam in Anambra North Senatorial District. And the sharing formula in terms of employment is 40 percent to Anambra North including the agitating Igbariam community and 60 percent to the two other Senatorial District (Central and South).

To my knowledge, the statement or allegation, so to say is malicious and unfounded in fact. The President General, Dr. Ofokansi should fine a time and visit the University for proper clarification on how the varsity under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Greg Nwokoby, is been operated.

The general public is therefore advised to disregard the statement and consider that as manipulation of the enemies of the university, the PRO added.

Dr Ofokansi who contested with Engineer Uche Okafor recorded four hundred and forty while his opponent, Mr Okafor scored one hundred and eighty-eight and emerged the winner to run affairs of the community for two years.

It was also gathered that the Igbariam community because of communal crisis have stayed for twelve years without having town union elections and has now organized elections for various positions as part of measures towards restoring peace, unity and progress in the community.

The election which attracted Ndi Ojiana, Ndi Ichie, Irunabo, kinsmen, youths and other prominent men in the community was witnessed by officials from the office of the State Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, with a heavy presence of security men and was conducted through option A4 format.

Speaking shortly after the election, at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church Igbariam, venue of the election, the Transition Committee Chairman, Anambra East Council Area, Barrister Obi Nweke who is an indigene of the community, noted that with the conclusion of the elections, Igbariam would come together, champion course for peace and progress and enjoy the dividends of democracy from the government.

The leader of the delegation from Local Government And Chieftaincy Matters Office, Mr Anthony Emelife who is also a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Chieftancy Matter’s said the election was free, fair and credible nothing that Igbariam people have spoken having elected the candidate of their choice, advising them to work together to restructure their community. (Nigerian Tribune)