By Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu
As the search for a new Vice-Chancellor for the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) begins, the host senatorial district, Enugu North, has appealed to the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government to consider the zone for the position.
A socio-cultural pressure group from the university’s host community, “Kpokotenu Nsukka,” made the appeal, stating that the host senatorial district has eminently qualified candidates for the Vice-Chancellor position.
Arising from its maiden meeting shortly after inauguration yesterday in Enugu, the group also called on Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to support their agitation for the emergence of an Nsukka man as Vice-Chancellor of UNN.
The group noted that their request has become imperative because no native of the host community has occupied the VC position since the establishment of the premier university in 1960, despite their sacrifices and qualifications.
In their communique, signed by the Director General, Ozo Ejike Okpe; Director Secretariat, ACJ Favour Amuka; and Chairman, Kpokotenu Nsukka Committee on Actualisation of UNN VC of Enugu North Senatorial District Extraction, Pastor Chinweike Amoke, they also appealed to all aspirants to the office of the Vice-Chancellor who are not from Nsukka to voluntarily withdraw from the race.
Their communique reads in part:
“Kpokotenu Nsukka prays every eligible voter and every other critical stakeholder in the process of electing a VC for UNN, including the Governing Council, to support and vote for an Enugu North Senatorial District candidate in the spirit of fairness, equity, and justice.
“Kpokotenu Nsukka appreciates the person and office of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his unyielding belief in the betterment and development of Nsukka land.
“We, Kpokotenu Nsukka, pray the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the performing disruptive innovative Governor of Enugu State, to support the emergence of an Nsukka man as VC UNN.
“We pray the Governor of Enugu State to extend his positive disruptive virtues to the UNN VCship contest to disrupt the discriminatory trend that has prevented an Nsukka man from emerging as VC over the years.
“We, the Kpokotenu Nsukka group, and indeed, all well-meaning sons and daughters of Nsukka land, will keep supporting the life-changing administration of His Excellency, Dr Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
“We pray the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to come to our aid and support a UNN VC of Nsukka extraction to bring to an end the unfair and age-long jinx that has been the lot of the Nsukka man since UNN was established in his backyard decades ago.
“Kpokotenu Nsukka stands by the fact that it is time for Nsukka to produce the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
“As the host of the university, it will be in order to consider an Nsukka son or daughter for the exalted office of the VC of the university, as no Nsukka man or woman has been VC of UNN since its inception over six decades ago.
“Nsukka has qualified sons and daughters for the office of the VC of UNN and should be given the opportunity to emerge as the VC of the university it hosts.”
The group, however, appealed to all VC aspirants of Nsukka senatorial zone extraction to come together and arrive at a consensus candidate.
It further reads:
“In view of the sacrifices Nsukka has made by hosting the university and providing it with land and a peaceful environment, both physical and social, Kpokotenu Nsukka posits that it has become imperative that the VC seat be conceded to Nsukka zone after a long period of over six decades of denial.
“A great compensation shall have been meted on the land of Nsukka by the university should an Nsukka man lead it in the capacity of VC this time, as the blessing exuding from the land shall continue to rise to the health and prosperity of the great citadel of learning and its people.”