Anger is mounting in Umuagwo, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, as residents of the university’s host community accuse unidentified individuals of hijacking employment opportunities promised by the Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Science (UAES). Indigenes claim that the selection process for these positions has been compromised by faceless agents who allegedly seek to sell the jobs to the highest bidder, sparking widespread frustration.
The UAES, formerly home to the Michael Okpara College of Agriculture, upgraded to Imo State Polytechnic before relocating to Omuma, Oru East, recently offered jobs as part of its commitment to social responsibility. However, community members say they were not notified about the job opportunities, alleging that only select individuals with the financial means were informed of the positions. These grievances have led to an outcry, with many locals threatening unrest if the reported underhanded dealings are not addressed.
A source from the Umuagwo Town Development Union (UTDU), the community’s main administrative body, stated that even union executives were left in the dark. “We heard about the employment opportunities only as rumors; there’s been no official communication with us. It’s as if the process is being hidden from the very people it’s meant to benefit,” a union executive disclosed, preferring anonymity.
The UTDU claims that those orchestrating this opaque process have allegedly accepted bribes, undercutting deserving candidates from the host community. Attempts to contact UTDU President, Mr. Nicholas Amadi, were unsuccessful, as his phone numbers were reportedly unreachable.
Community members, infuriated by these developments, have issued a stern warning to the university management and those involved in the illicit practices. “We will not stand by as others attempt to sell our rightful opportunities. These positions were promised to us in good faith, and we won’t allow this injustice to continue,” said one resident, hinting at possible unrest if transparency is not ensured.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the university management addressing these allegations. Community stakeholders, however, are calling for an immediate investigation to ensure the job allocation process is fair and inclusive, reflecting the university’s commitment to its host community.
