Following series of petitions and alleged sabotage of the Rescue Mission Free Education Policy, the newly re-inaugurated Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, in a swift move, yesterday Monday June 1, 2015, appointed, Prof. (Mrs.) Adaobi Obasi as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Imo State University (IMSU) Owerri. She replaces the embattled Professor of landscape Architecture, Aloysius Ukachukwu Awuzie whose tenure has been turbulent with several allegations of attempt to scuttle and discredit the well thought-out free education policy of the present administration.
According to a Government House source, Awuzie’s appointment was initially opposed by his colleagues on the grounds that he was not a substantive Professor since he never fulfilled one of the conditions for elevation to the position, following his inability to successfully complete a Ph.D thesis or dissertation, and that he is grossly incompetent to be so appointed. However feigning ignorance of these disabilities, the Governor went ahead to confirm him in a substantive position despite objections to that effect. Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie who is less than one year as substantive V.C was directed to proceed on an indefinite suspension with immediate effect. No cogent reasons were however offered for the suspension order.
Gravine had it that the decision of government to suspend Prof. Awuzie was based on findings that he was unable to account for the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) that accrued over the years, to the university via application fee for post UTME or aptitude tests, put at more than N5000 per applicant excluding recharge cards for accessing result of aptitude tests, that of checking of admission and printing of results, acceptance fee of N75, 000 per fresh students and the about N600, 000 collected from each post graduate student before the degree project is approved, stall fees and property rates from business establishments located at IMSU, consultancy fees and endowments, or donations, and other international grants etc.
Furthermore, Prof. Awuzie was reported to have exposed himself as incapable and incompetent in managing the affairs of IMSU by allowing the work force to embark on a strike action against the government in protest over salary arrears of just two months moments after the announcement of the re-election of the Governor. It was also alleged that Awuzie was out to sabotage the free education policy of the Rescue Mission Administration, when inspite of the lean resources claimed by Prof. Awuzie, and even while the workers were on strike he went on a spending free advertising himself in two National Newspapers at a minimum cost of N1 million whereas local newspapers are begging for even less than N50, 000, for a full page colour advertisement. The signs that Awuzie will kiss the dust came when reports emanating from the university revealed that Prof. Awuzie for alleged acts of Kleptocracy and malfeasances, single handedly imposed a university Bursar on the university community contrary to and against the standing order that such appointment follows strict official guidelines. The last straw that broke the camel’s back has to do with what the allegation that rather than the N297 million monthly subventions, Awuzie only declared before the senate of IMSU that only N280 million was what the Governor approves for the university.
Meanwhile Sir Jude Ejiogu former Chief of Staff to the Governor has been uplifted to the Office of Secretary to the Government of Imo State (SGI) while the Governors first son in-law, Uche Nwosu is the new Chief of Staff. While expectation is high that Anwuka with either SGF or Minister, his son who recently wedded Okorocha’s delectable second daughter is said to have penciled the Junior Anwuka’s name as Commissioner for Land, Housing, Survey and Urban Development to complete the family cycle at Douglas House.
