Emma Arubi
WARRI-THE Governing Council of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE, Ugbomro, Effurun, near Warri, Delta state, has directed the institution’s registrar, Dr (Mrs) L.O. Onwuka to proceed on immediate suspension pending the conclusion of investigation into alleged high-handedness, concealment of information, contemptuousness and ineptitude leveled against her by the three unions in the University.
The University Council further direct that she proceed on her accumulated and terminal leave after the conclusion of investigation into the alleged offences, just as her single five years tenure of office terminates March 27, 2012.
University sources told Vanguard that the three unions in the University had in a petition against the registrar revealed that the woman deliberately concealed from Council the information about the ill-health and hospitalization of the School’s Vice-Chancellor, an action they claimed created tension and almost led to complete paralysis of the University functions.
They also stated in the petitions that the Registrar unilaterally ran the University in the absence of the V-C and also cancelled already scheduled interview for appointment for academic staff without due approval from the Professor who ordinarily would have been overseeing the affairs of the University.
According to the petitions fro the three unions, the out –going Registrar caused the University to pay some huge amount running into millions to a consultant engaged to sort out some University matters, only for her to draft some staff of the Registry department to execute the job.
Her actions they alleged also led to the University losing a Professor of Mathematics due to frustration that forced him to resign from FUPRE prematurely amongst others.
These were part of the decision taken at the 17th meeting of the Governing Council of the institution held last Wednesday, even as uneasy calm now pervades the entire University campus.
The Council has therefore directed that the registrar who also doubles as Council Secretary hand over all University property in her possession to the next in seniority, that is, the Deputy Registrar, to take over the headship of the registry immediately.
ASUU, Fupre branch has thrown its weight behind the move to sustained the independence of the university as it has vowed to resist any internal or external attempts to interfere with the smooth running of the school.
ASUU in a statement signed by its Chairman and secretary, Dr. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh and Dr. Duke Okoro stated that the Union viewed the allegations against the suspended Registrar with grave concern, saying that they are in tune with Council decision to investigate the allegations in line with fair hearing.
While stating that they are prepared to submit memorandum and appear physically to present their position on all issues raised they warned that nobody or group no matter how highly placed should in any way try to undermine the autonomy of the University.
