Oko Poly Tussle: Group cautions against campaign of calumny

By Emmanuel Elebeke
Worried by the current campaign of calumny by a group that calls itself Concerned Citizens of Anambra State against  the candidacy of Engr. Henry Aginam for the position of Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, a community based group, the Oko Youths Forum  has warned the group against what it described as campaign of calumny, saying  the selection of who becomes the next Rector of the institution  should be done in a transparent and mature manner.

While stating that Federal Polytechnic Oko which has produced men of timber and caliber since inception is not for sale to the highest bidder, the  group in a statement signed by its President, Daniel Ifeadigorom noted with dismay the manner and media propaganda being used by the  group against a candidate perceived to be enjoying wide acceptance.

“For about  three decades now, the Federal Polytechnic Oko  has come to stay. We do not want any form of campaign of calumny against any candidate for the position of the Rector of the institution. The selection process calls for transparency. The selection process also calls for equal opportunity.

The authorities know who is the best qualified candidate for the rector ship. The position requires  somebody who is experienced  in the academic field and  a candidate who is God fearing. We need somebody who can restore sanity in the system. We need somebody who can take this institution to the next level.  Enough is enough” he said in the statement.

It would be recalled that the  Anambra State Security Service, (SSS) had earlier cleared  Engr. Henry Aginam  over alleged  membership of secret cult at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University by a  group that calls itself concerned Citizens of Anambra State

Meanwhile, investigations have revealed that the  allegations by the faceless group were geared towards tarnishing the image of Aginam, one of the top contenders of for the post of rector of  Federal Polytechnic Ok.

Aginam, it was gathered,  is a Civil Engineer by profession, an academician of repute, an academic Doctor, and a Structural Engineer among others.

It was also gathered that Aginam is an  experienced lecturer and  a member of many professional bodies including  Nigerian Society of Engineers, a member of Nigerian Institute of Structural Engineers, a member of prestigious Knighthood of St Paul’s Anglican Church Awka, among others.