The selection of a new Vice Chancellor for University of Uyo (UNIUYO) in Akwa Ibom State has become stormy between the outgoing Vice Chancellor and the institution’s Governing Council.
Speaking in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, Tuesday, after the selection, Prof. Austin Awujo, the Chairman of UNIUYO Governing Council said Mallam Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education, has summoned him for a crucial meeting in Abuja, as controversy continues to trail the selection process of the new VC of the institution.
Awujo explained that the interview process was fairly and democratically conducted for the best candidate to emerge, but expressed surprise that the outcome of the contest was stoutly rejected by the management of the institution led by the outgoing VC, Prof. Enefiok Essien.
“After the interview for the 10 candidates who were cleared for the final round of the contest, three candidates were outstanding. Prof. Edet Udo, of the Department of Agricultural Economics scored a total of 90 percent; Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, the current Deputy Vice Chancellor, polled 86 percent while Prof. Gabriel Umoh, also of the Department of Agro-Economics, scored 70 percent,” he explained.
According to him, the outcome was, however, rejected by the outgoing VC and his supporters, leading to a vote by some observers, adding that the voting, which he said was not recognized by the extant laws governing the institution.
He explained that during the voting process, Prof. Ndaeyo polled nine votes, Prof. Edet four, while Prof. Umoh, scored zero vote.
Expressing regret over the decision of the outgoing VC and others to accept the outcome of the official interview in which Prof. Edet scored the highest; Awujo said he was forced to put a call to the Executive Secretary (ES) of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed.
Meanwhile, the UNIUYO management has hurriedly announced Prof. Ndaeyo, as the new VC of the institution.
The Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr. Aniediabasi Udofia, in a statement on Tuesday, said the decision was reached at the Governing Council meeting of the institution.
