The immediate past Acting Provost of Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu lDr Nwawuisi Jonah Umunnah on Wednesday refuted the insinuation by some section of the media not Guardian that the institution has two Provosts describing the insinuation as false and misleading.
In a chat with journalists at Ishiagu Ivo local government area of Ebonyi state after the handing over ceremony to the new Provost, Dr Nwawuisi said that they would have ignored the insinuations but for avoidance of doubt decided to clear the air by making it very clear that the institution has new Provost in the person of Prof. Agwu Ekwe.
“You can see now that the insinuations is false, we don’t have two Provosts but one in person of Prof. Ekwe and he took over from me on Tuesday so the public should disregard those insinuations coming from those he described as fermenters of trouble to bring crises to the school” he stated.
“Yes I was appointed Acting Provost of the college last year while Prof Ekwe was appointed substantive Provost on the 10th of this month and now he has taken over from me, so there is no problem in the school. You can see he was received by both staff and students” he added.
The protest was ignited by Joint Union Action of the college which claimed they rejected the appointment of Agwu as the substantive Provost by the federal government. This was hand work of some insignificant elements that want to cause chos in the school but I am happy the security agents took control of it.
The Acting Provost spent barely seven months and three weeks in the office before the new Provost was appointed stating that he did all that is humanly possible in tackling the several problems of the institution and cannot do magic to accomplish what five year tenure could achieve.
He noted that now that the new Provost has taken over, he advised him to hit the ground running adding that with the vast experience of Prof. Ekwe the institution will return to her glory. He wished him well in the office.
During my few stay as Acting Provost I handled some renovations and projects which includes fixing of welfare bus that was grounded for years to convey staff to work and back free of charge, fixing one of the tractors with lawn mowers and machine cutters to compliment the work of the tractor. He equally renovated Provost administrative block car back. He also bought solar panels to fix the solar light that was lying waste at College Provost Lodge.
Others includes cleaning and pruning of college oil palm plantations thereby making room for palm fruit harvests, making light available both day and night to offices and staff quarters, fixing almost all the vehicles in the college to functional, better students welfare and making effort in staff promotion matters which he believes will be fruitful.
Only the problem of fund hampered his effort in giving constant light and achieving other plans for the college.
It will be recalled that during his welcome speech the new Provost Prof. Agwu Ekwe praised the outgoing Acting Provost for his honest and transparent dedication during his stay describing him as a humble man full of wisdom and fear of God. He promised to work with him as he addressed staff and students.
Former acting Provost Dr Nwawuisi has served the college in several capacities: as Head of Department for three terms, Dean of School and Deputy Provost before becoming the Acting Provost/CEO.
He served in the Internal Management Committee of the College (IMCC) for several years and he equally headed several college committees. Dr Nwawuisi spent some years as a researcher/scientist with National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike and later their Kuru Jos outstation as a Plant Pathologist. He has supervised many research works and made many publications as his credit.
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