Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education JAC holds congress

… Mandates Governing council to withdraw “approval letter” given to the Provost

Following the directive of the Nigerian Senate given to the Governing council of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri, to meet with the unions in the institution within two weeks and resolve the leadership impasse, involving the Provost of the institution, Dr. Blessing Ijioma, which is threatening the peace and stability of second generation citadel of learning, the four unions under the aegis of Joint Action Committee (JAC) held a congress on Tuesday 25th July, 2017.

The directive which was handed down through the Senator representing Imo East senatorial district and Chairman Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Samuel SamDaddy Anyanwu and addressed to the chairman of the Governing council was a by product of the meeting held in the Senate chambers on Thursday 20th July, 2017.

The JAC which is made up of the leadership of COEASU, SSUCOEN, NASU and NAAT is led by Lady Ukachi Wachuku, the Chairman of COEASU called for a congress to brief them on the extent they had gone to ensure that the right thing is done but the authorities to ensure that the institution remains peaceful. This congress also became imperative because the two weeks given to the Governing council eventually alters the ultimatum previously given to the council by the Unions, and the unions are perceiving that it may be a ploy to buy time for the Provost to perfect her schemes.

The main issue at stake about the inordinate ambition of the Provost of the college, Dr. Blessing Ijioma to stay in office beyond 2nd day of August, 2017 when she would have turned 65 years and due for retirement, having put in 40 years in service, during which she rose through the position of Head of Department, Deputy Provost and eventually, spent 7 years thus far as Provost of the institution.

Feelers from the college indicates that the staff of college are disappointed in the fact that Provost having had a glorious career should have been wise enough to humbly throw in the towel when the ovation is high, rather than the present scheming she has had to involve herself in.

It has been established beyond all reasonable doubts that the tenure policy she was hanging tenaciously to has been suspended by the head of service of the Federation, which should have ordinarily been enough for her to step aside, duly, two months ago, and proceed on terminal leave.

But rather than commence the process of retirement, Dr. Blessing Ijioma having applied to the Federal Ministry of Education and was turned down, wrote a Request for completion of tenure to the Governing council of the institution, and got an “approval” which was neither copied to the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) nor the Federal Ministry of Education who are bodies superintending the institution, knowing fully that the council has no power to grant what the Provost ask for.

This informs the reason why the unions have continued to reject the “approval” insisting that the right thing should be done.

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