Nto’s Promotion: Group Threatens to Shut Down MOUAU

Dr Philips Nto

A pressure group, Old Bende Young Professionals, has threatened to occupy the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), over what it described as the prolonged and unjust delay in the promotion of Dr. Philips Nto to the rank of professor.

The group issued the threat in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr. Chima Ogbonna, and Secretary, Chief Dike Okwara, which was made available to journalists in Umuahia on Thursday.
According to the group, the delay amounts to “grave injustice and victimisation” of Dr. Nto, whom it described as eminently qualified for the promotion.
The group gave the University Governing Council until its next meeting to either approve or formally reject Nto’s promotion, warning that failure to do so would trigger “massive protests” that could disrupt academic activities at the institution.
It alleged that the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr. Fidelis Edeh, was deliberately frustrating the promotion process due to “personal bias and vendetta,” rather than any deficiency on Nto’s part.
The statement further claimed that Nto was being unfairly targeted because of internal political interests linked to Enugu State, despite his Abia State origin.
The group called on the Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Peter Mbah, to intervene by calling the Pro-Chancellor to order, warning that the situation could degenerate into an unnecessary interstate dispute if left unresolved.
The statement read in part:
“Dr. Nto is a prominent son of Abia State who has served this country creditably as a commissioner and as a provost of a tertiary institution.
“We cannot stand by and watch anyone tarnish his unblemished career and hard-earned reputation.
“We are prepared for the mother of all protests, including occupying MOUAU, if his promotion is not approved or clearly addressed at the next council meeting.”it stated.
The group cautioned the Pro-Chancellor to refrain from actions capable of causing unrest in what it described as a peaceful academic environment.
Dr. Nto, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agribusiness Management, had recently petitioned President Bola Tinubu, seeking his intervention in the controversy surrounding his stalled promotion.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Nto said he became due for promotion in 2021 but alleged that the process was abruptly halted by the Pro-Chancellor.
He questioned why the Governing Council approved professorial promotions for other academics, including some he claimed were his juniors, while his own file allegedly remained unattended to without any official explanation.
Reacting to the allegations, Mr. Edeh told journalists that he would not engage in a public dispute with a staff member of a university under his supervision.
“I cannot join issues with a staff over internal administrative matters. There are established processes for addressing such issues,” Edeh said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Public Relations Officer of MOUAU, Dr. Ubadire Agua, clarified that the Pro-Chancellor does not possess the legal authority to unilaterally refuse or halt the promotion of any staff member whose case has been duly presented to the Governing Council.
According to him, the university management, under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, has not withheld any staff promotion.
“Every staff member who meets the requirements and satisfies the rules and regulations of the university receives promotion when due,” Agua said.

Adapt it for print, online, or press release format
Just tell me the target outlet or tone.