‘Appointment of new Uyo varsity vice chancellor transparent’

THE Pro-chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Uyo, Prof. Kimse Okoko, says the process leading to the appointment of Prof. Enefiok Essien as Vice Chancellor-designate was transparent, stressing that relevant laws were duly observed.

Addressing journalists in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, Okoko said he was disappointed to read a report in three local tabloids alleging that council collected a N200 million bribe to favour Prof. Essien.

The chairman frowned on what he described as junk journalism aimed at tarnishing his long-earned reputation.

He explained that no petition was received from anybody or group against the vice chancellor-elect in the course of the exercise.

“The only petition against Professor Okon Ansa at the time was treated by the Selection Board during the interaction session,” Okoko said.

“The process for the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor which commenced on April 28, 2015 was concluded on Friday, October 2015, with the appointment of Professor Enefiok Effiong Essien, a Professor of Commercial Law as Vice Chancellor after a very painstaking, thorough and an uncompromisingly transparent process.

“Following the successful conclusion of the interaction exercise, the Selection Board, in line with the University [Miscellaneous Provision] Act 1993 and [Amendment] Act 2003, Section B, recommended the best applicants to the governing council for the appointment of one of them as Vice Chancellor.

“The three candidates in rank order are Professor Enefiok Essien of University of Uyo, Professor Ben E. A. Oghojafor, University of Lagos and Professor Okon A. Ansa, University of Uyo. After a voting process, number 1 candidate in the person of Professor Enefiok Effiong Essien, Faculty of Law, University of Uyo recorded the highest number of votes.

“He was thereafter approved by the Governing Council as the incoming Vice Chancellor at the end of the tenure of the outgoing Vice Chancellor in November 2015,” Okoko clarified.