Crisis is rocking the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Plateau State, over the appointment of a provost for the institution.

 

The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, last March 25, had invited applications for the position even when the college had Dr. George-Best Echeonwu, as its acting provost.

 

Earlier in 2010, the ARCN had advertised the same position and interviewed Echeonwu and other persons.

 

The PUNCH on October 10, 2013, had reported an attempt by some members of staff of the institution, led by a former Registrar, Mr. Mohammed Ambursa, and another contestant to the office, Dr. Joseph Okwori, to sack Echeonwu through a letter purportedly from the office of the then Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe.

 

The letter with reference number PRES/BD/73/MA536/85/MI/80/5/3, dated September 6, 2013, had asked Echeonwu to vacate the office and to hand over to Okwori.

 

The police later arrested Ambursa and Okwori and charged them to court for forgery. The case is presently at the Chief Magistrate court, Wuse, Zone 2, Abuja.

 

Curiously, ARCN is again re-advertising the same position without recourse to the earlier interview where Echeonwu had participated, based on which he became the acting provost.

 

Meanwhile, in a petition to the Minister of Industries, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Echeonwu alleged that some “powerful forces” were trying to force him out of the college.

 

 

In the petition, Echeonwu wondered why the position should be advertised for the second time without considering an earlier interview where he was one of the contestants.

 

Echeonwu accused the Chairman of the Board of the college, Dr. Isaac Egboja, of frustrating all efforts to confirm his appointment because he wanted Okwori, to take over as the provost.

 

Part of the petition read, “Since the plot to use forgery to remove me and plant Dr. Okwori as the provost of the college was exposed, the chairman of the college board, who is from the same state with Okwori has been using his position to witch-hunt me. He is currently using his connection in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to remove me from office via sponsored petitions, suspensions, among others.

 

“The latest option adopted and made to receive the attention of the minister is to advertise the post of provost of the college without resolving the issues of the previous interview for the same position.

 

When contacted, Egboja questioned the right of our correspondent to call him on the telephone.

 

Also, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Sonny Echono, did not take his call as of the time of filing the report on Monday evening.

 

BY: JUDE OWUAMANAM

THE PUNCH