PHOTO: Abia Governor, Dr Alex Otti
By: Mandy Park
A pressure group in Abia State has threatened to physically occupy the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), over the prolonged delay in the promotion of Dr Philips Nto to the rank of professor.
The group, Old Bende Young Professionals, expressed outrage over what it described as a two-year unjust delay in the release of Dr Nto’s promotion, which it said has been due since 2021.
In a statement issued in Umuahia, the group accused the Chairman of the Governing Council of MOUAU, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, of deliberately frustrating the promotion process.
According to the group, the action amounts to grave injustice and victimisation of Dr Nto, whom it described as a respected son of Abia State.
It further alleged that the continued delay was an insult not only to Dr Nto but to the people of Abia State, noting that Edeh, who is not an indigene of the state, had allegedly turned against those who had nothing against him.
The statement, signed by the Chairman of the group, Barrister Chima Ogbonna, and its Secretary, Chief Dike Okwara, issued an ultimatum to the Governing Council to either approve or formally reject Dr Nto’s promotion at its next meeting, warning that failure to do so would trigger massive protests.
The group lamented that Dr Nto’s peers and even junior colleagues had allegedly been promoted to the rank of professor, while his own case remained unresolved despite what it described as his proven academic and administrative record.
They further claimed to be aware of cases within MOUAU where staff were promoted to professorial rank without supervising postgraduate students, while Dr Nto, whom they said had met all required criteria, was being unfairly treated due to internal politics.
The group alleged that its investigations revealed that the delay was rooted in personal bias and vendetta rather than any deficiency on the part of Dr Nto. It described the situation as ironic, noting that Abia indigenes within MOUAU had supported Edeh since his arrival, only for him to allegedly victimise “one of our brightest stars.”
Describing Dr Nto as a prominent Abia son who has served as a commissioner and provost, the group said it would not stand by and watch his reputation and career be tarnished.
The group also called on the Enugu State Governor, Barrister Peter Mbah, to intervene by cautioning Edeh, warning that the issue could degenerate into interstate tension if left unresolved.
“We are prepared for the mother of all protests and to occupy MOUAU if Dr Philips Nto’s promotion is not released at the next Council sitting. We will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion,” the group warned.
