By Jimogu, S. C
‘Panel report is a litmus test for present administration.’
The immediate past governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha saw the urgent need to cleanse the only state owned University in Imo popularly known as IMSU from corrupt activities rocking the university ranging from contract award and execution, employment procedures, admission methods, teaching standards, welfare of staff among others, hence the constitution of the visitation panel headed by a cerebral, disciplined and an accomplished academic, Prof. Nebo.
Imo State University from 1991/1992 has continued to maintain high academic standard to an extent that no year that passes without an IMSU law graduate making a first class at the Nigeria law school. But unfortunately, this cerebral accolade, which the university is known for has suddenly dropped from 2011, despite the purported free education giving to the Imo State University students. Then one begins to wonder whether the free education is responsible for the drop noticed in academic performance of the students.
Immediately Ihedioha took over the mantle of leadership in Imo State as the governor, staff and students of the state University wrote his administration over the level of gross and corrupt activities among the management staff. In fact, in their demand they have asked Ihedioha to sack the vice Chancellor, Prof Adaobi Obasi, but Ihedioha declined, instead set up a visitation panel to investigate all the programmes of the institution. Unfortunately, Ihedioha’s administration was erroneously and purposefully terminated on the 14th of January, 2020 for the sake of the Fulani junta’s against the will and wish of Imo people who voted Ihedioha into power against the tyranny of Okorocha and his empire.
Now as Senator Hope Uzodimma took over after Ihedioha, he promised Imo citizens heaven on earth as one of his machineries to win the love of Imo people. In his inaugural address, he promised to start his administration from where Ihedioha stopped. Today the story line has changed. It is now impossible for Uzodinma to fulfill his promises. For the sake of this present article, attention will be focused on the visitation panel and a little reference will be made with few cases.
Yes, government is a continuum, but the case of Uzodimma is rather discontinuation. Information at our news desk jimogus@gmail.com shows that Uzodimma bluntly refused to fund the visitation panel, but due to the personality and integrity of Prof. Nebo, the panel painstakingly completed the assignment, despite surmounting challenges and had handed over the report to Sen. Uzodimma. The reason the prosperity government of Sen Hope Uzodimma has refused to make the report of Prof. Nebo led panel public is still like a pandemic to Imolites. The act is criminal, because withholding the pronuncement of the report will amount to bringing down the worth of the panel. Again, if this panel report is being delayed to make it public, then there is fear also that the long awaited report on panel of judicial inquiry headed by Justice Iheka will also be a mirage.
Please, we are humbly asking you Sen Uzodimma to make public the report of IMSU visitation panel as we humbly wait for the report of Justice Iheka-led judicial panel of inquiry. Finally, the Nekede – Ihiagwa road should not be abandoned as you have promised Imolites that your administration is continuity prone and friendly. This delay tactics is criminal. Imolites are watching with keen interest.
*Jimogu, S. C, MNPA is a concerned citizen of Imo State.
Please note that the opinion expressed by the writer in this article does not reflect the position of the publishers of www.newsbitsng.com
