Reactions have continued to trail the recent cancellation of the employment made by the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, IAUE, with beneficiaries who went through the rigorous screening exercise, expressing shock at the decision made by the State Government.
A cross section of those who lost their jobs, following the decision of the Rivers State Government to cancel their employment. Noting that the employment process at the IAUE, met global best standards with the deployment of Technology in the entire exercise.
In an exclusive chat with Africa Update, they disclosed that aptitude tests were conducted and only those who passed these tests moved to the next stages of the interview.
In a related development, a Senior lecturer in the Department of History and diplomatic studies, who spoke with Africa Update on condition of anonymity, while reacting to an online publication alleging that the Vice Chancellor, Professor Okey Onuchuku, is involved in shabby and unethical practices, said: “This is more of hate speech arising from hostility perception and desire to please the pay masters. Professor Okey Onuchuku, DSSRS, is a great Vice Chancellor who has transformed Ignatius Ajuru University in many ways.
“In line with the strategic goals of Nigerian education, Professor Onuchuku is paying attention to those areas that will support the provision of access to quality education and ensure that IAUE will continue to develop to a world class institution with world-class infrastructure, learning resources and teachers that will produce highly skilled world class manpower with entrepreneurial flair.
“His legacies is concentrated, in the following areas: infrastructural development to support quality teaching and learning environment; research support innovation in society; library development to ensure the availability of information resources to support teaching and learning; and staff development to support availability of skilled manpower and lecturers with Doctoral degrees.
“He has supported manuscript development and publication of journals to support propagating and sharing of research results; conference attendance to provide opportunity for attending conferences in Nigeria and beyond and exchange of ideas and development of entrepreneurial units to support development of students with entrepreneurial flair.
“Let me further draw the attention of the public to the fact that Professor Onuchuku’s administration has improved the quality of Postgraduate programmes through the recruitment of best hands across the country; introduced 3 years minimum period for PhD programs as against the old 2 years that contravened global standard; introduced examination at all levels of Postgraduate programme as well as regular monitoring and evaluation of the programmes to guarantee quality assurance.
“He has done well in curbing cultism, examination malpractice related issues, including character development of students and teachers.Indeed, Professor Onuchuku has provided and will continue to provide credible and transparent academic and administrative leadership in IAUE, PH.
“An evidence of good governance of Professor Onuchuku could be appreciated in the accreditation of over 22 academic programmes as well as resource verification of other six academic programmes. The institution under his leadership has employed the best global scholars and practitioners as external examiners for both undergraduate and Post graduate programmes.
“School fees in IAUE under Professor Onuchuku is the most liberal in Nigeria.Students are to pay in two tranches to protect the less privileged in society.The administration is forward looking and will stop at nothing to promote academic excellence.
“The administration has done creditably well in the area of corporate social responsibility, environmental sustainability and human security and development. Recall that during the last convocation ceremony, the State Government expressed the capacity of Professor Okey Onuchuku in tackling the mess of the Ndimele administration”.
