By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki

ABAKALIKI — The Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Prof. Daniel Nwachukwu, has sought the intervention of former Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Martin Elechi, in resolving a dispute involving original landowners residing within the university’s campus.

Nwachukwu made the appeal when he led members of the university’s management on a courtesy visit to Elechi at his country home in Echi-Alike, Ikwo Local Government Area of the state.

The Vice-Chancellor said the university was seeking a peaceful and mutually beneficial resolution that would facilitate the resettlement of the affected landowners while creating room for the institution’s expansion and development.

He said the visit was part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen relations with host communities through dialogue, consultation and engagement with relevant stakeholders.

According to him, he had, since assuming office, embarked on consultations with stakeholders on the need to reach a mutually acceptable arrangement for relocating the original landowners.

Nwachukwu said the continued presence of the occupants within the university’s premises had implications for the institution’s expansion and infrastructural development.

“Our consultation with Chief Elechi was aimed at leveraging the former governor’s experience, influence and knowledge of the state to facilitate discussions with the present Governor, Francis Nwifuru, on how the affected landowners could be relocated in a peaceful and acceptable manner,” he said.

He stressed that the university was not seeking a confrontational approach, but a solution that would take into consideration the interests of the affected landowners while enabling the institution to utilise its land for further development.

The Vice-Chancellor said stakeholder engagement remained central to his administration’s approach to resolving issues affecting the university and its host communities.

Responding, Elechi called for concerted efforts towards the peaceful resettlement of the affected landowners and payment of appropriate compensation.

The former governor recalled that his administration had made efforts to promote rural development and secure land for public projects while balancing the interests of landowners.

He promised to engage the state governor on the matter with a view to finding an amicable resolution.

The meeting formed part of the Nwachukwu-led administration’s broader efforts to strengthen relations with stakeholders and address community-related issues affecting the university.