From Chuks Collins, Awka
March 22,2014
The monarch of Oko Community in Orumba North Local Government Area of
Anambra state, HRM Igwe (Prof) Laz Ekwueme has has stood out in
opposition againsgt any plans by the Federasl Government to renew the
tenure of the incumbent Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Prof
Godwin Onu.
The retired widely travelled erudite professor of music who is the
younger sibling to the former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme had in a
press conference in Oko yesterday expressed sadness in what he
disclosed as unbridled trouble-shooting by the rector in his 4-year
administration which expired on March 4, 2014.
According to the monarch who was assisted by other high ranking
citizens of the community including the national Legal Adviser for Oko
community-Chief Uchenna Okonkwo-Okom and the President General-Mr Ike
Cyprian Nwammuo, said that Prof Onu has within the period displayed
high zeal for crisis. That the institution and community would fare
better without him.
He therefore urged the FG especially the Minister of Education to
remove him at once.
But in contrast to the monarch’s position, the Rector described the
monarch as the main trouble-shooter and rabble rouser who refused to
mind his business.
Onu who spoke through his Public Relations Officer, Obini Onuchukwu in
his office at the polytechnic yesterday described Prof Ekwueme as “a
rascal”.
He said the monarch has politicized the affairs and relationship of
the institution with the community. He disclosed that the frequent
pressure from the palace on the Rector for personal matters, most of
which were turned down caused the whole bad blood.
Onuchukwu stated that it was for same reason the community leadership
became divided and enmeshed in the crisis. After all that the Youth
arm and some key members of the community leadership are in full
support of the good works of the Rector.
On the accusation by the community that the rector still owed
compensation to citizens arising from the violent demonstration of the
students of the institution in 2012, the rector said it was false as
all relevant persons have been settled individually long ago.
The Governing Council of the institution had in its meeting last week
appealed for calm and reconciliation..
