Disengaged MOUAU Workers Seek Reinstatement, Clear VC of Sack Allegations

Disengaged workers from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, are calling for their reinstatement, asserting their loyalty to the institution. They have also refuted claims that the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ngozi Akanwa, played a role in their dismissal in 2017.

“

We, the 2017 suspended members of staff of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), issue this press statement to set the record straight and correct the misinformation suggesting that the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, was responsible for the university’s recent staff recruitment exercise or the removal of any staff members.

The workers, who previously withdrew a court case regarding their situation, stated in a press release that they await favorable consideration from the university authorities. Reverend Ifeanyi Remy, speaking for the affected staff, clarified that Prof. Akanwa had no involvement in the recruitment exercise or the layoffs that occurred during the tenure of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe.

“

For the avoidance of doubt, the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ngozi Akanwa, has no involvement whatsoever in the recruitment exercise or the circumstances that led to their layoff.

According to the statement, the university management under the former Vice-Chancellor failed to reinstate staff members when approval was granted for additional hiring. The workers allege that following a waiver for 426 new employees, some of the disengaged staff should have been given priority. They further claim that the administration exceeded the approved waiver by recruiting 618 new staff, an action they describe as an avoidable error.

“

The recruitment exercise in question was conducted during the administration of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe.

The disengaged staff reaffirmed their commitment to MOUAU and urged the current administration to review their case and consider their return to service.

“

When the waiver of 426 was given, Prof. Iwe should have considered us and given us first right of refusal as was agreed by reinstating about 150 of us.