• Demand statutory take-off grant, 30 years after

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State has, has expressed worry over its staff that absconded while being sponsored abroad, saying that their continued absence has created a worrisome gap in the university operation.

The Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, who disclosed this during a chat with The Guardian on the just commemorated 30th anniversary of the university, said: “There is now a persistent challenge of retaining our younger trainee staff who, after benefitting from the university’s sponsorship abroad, often severe their ties and decline to return to serve the institution.”

The VC also disclosed that the university had not received its statutory take-off grant despite its agitation and reminders to successive governments for the release of the funds 30 years after. He noted that it has been alleged, in some quarters, that other universities of MOUAU’s age and younger were not denied their statutory take-off grant.