The recent revelation by a senior Lecturer in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, Dr Philips Nto of a conscious effort to deny him promotion to the rank of a professor allegedly by the chairman of the Governing Council of the institution has attracted concerns from some groups.
Angered by this development, a pressure group Old Bende Young Professionals has threatened to physically occupy the Institution until justice is done.
The pressure group, in a statement in Umuahia described as grave injustice and victimisation against their son, Dr Philips Nto which has been due since 2021.
In the statement signed by the Chairman of the group, Barr Chima Ogbonna the Secretary, Chief Dike Okwara, the group gave the Council Chairman an ultimatum to either approve or reject the promotion of Dr Philips Nto, at the next council meeting or face massive protests.
” The lamentation of our hardworking son over the unjust delay in releasing his promotion when his peers and even junior ones had been promoted to professors was heartbreaking and provocative”, they declared.
While claiming that they were aware of staff in MOUAU who were promoted to the same rank without even supervising any post graduate student, the group wondered why Dr Nto who has discharged his duties creditably was being punished over the internal politics of Enugu State.
They alleged that the chairman was deliberately frustrating Dr. Nto out of personal bias, vendetta, and not because Dr. Nto lacks the required qualifications.
” Dr Philips Nto is a prominent son of Abia who has served as a Commissioner and Provost of a school. We can’t standby and watch anyone rubbish his unblemished career and reputation “, they noted.
They stated: ” We are set to occupy MOUAU if Dr Philips Nto’s promotion is not released at the next sitting of the Council”, they warned.
