BY IKENNA ASOMBA

The Rector of Oko Polytechnic, Anambra State, Prof Godwin Onu, has denied allegations by Oko People’s Union, OPU, that he was at war with the Oko community, saying he never sponsored thugs to destroy the palace of the traditional ruler, Prof Laz Ekwueme.

In a statement signed on his behalf by the Public Relations Officer of the Polytechnic, Mr Onuchukwu Obini, Onu said: ‘’It is laughable to say that the Rector hates Oko community. Oko indigenes constitute about 65 percent of our entire workforce. The OPU president, who signed the petition was among the last set of Oko indigenes employed by the current administration and up till now, he is still our staff, bitting the finger that feeds him.

’’Priority has always been given to the community during admissions. On his own without application, the Rector employed 20 indigent widows from the community, donated vehicles to the community to improve vigilante services. He opened the ultra modern medical centre of the institution to the community at subsidised rates.

“He introduced the first Dr Alex Ekwueme Annual lecture to honour and immortalise our founder, even while alive. Homage is regularly paid to the traditional ruler, Prof Laz Ekwueme. In terms of appointment, up till recently, an Oko indigene occupied the sensitive position of a Bursar for 10 years. The entire old Aguata Union is adequately represented in the appointment of management staff.

’’It is very disheartening that the community led by Igwe is not calling for the Rector’s removal because of poor performance or corruption but for selfish reason of who becomes the Rector. Nobody talks about what to do to improve the standard of the institution which the rector has selflessly continued to do. We thank Mr President for recognising the hard work by Professor Onu and his intention to transform the institution.

“The President General of OPU and their legal adviser went to the media houses to justify their expenditure because we learnt that each village was tasked to contribute some money to support their battle. We have done nothing wrong except that we blocked some exhaust pipes to ensure we generate enough Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, to develop the institution.