A Rights group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has rejected the renaming of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Uli Campus, after the former governor of the state, late Chinweoke Mbadinuju by Anambra State governor, Charles Soludo.

It stated that the University established in 2000 and later renamed “Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University, Anambra State” through a Law by the State House of Assembly, the University and its three campuses at Igbariam, Uli and Awka is incapable of being given another name including any of its campuses.

The group said that the era of Mbadinuju as Anambra Governor remains the worst in the State’s history of human and capital development, protection of lives and properties and promotion of human rights, democracy and rule of law especially between June 1999 and 2003

Intersociety in a statement by it’s Chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi; Human Rights lawyers, Chidinma Udegbunam, Joy Igboeli as well as it’s Deputy Head, Policing and Law Enforcement, Chibueze Nwajiaku, insisted that the University must irrevocably remain “Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University, Anambra State”.

“Anything in the contrary is a mere academic exercise or effort in futility that cannot stand the test of time. Several cases in point abound: The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) at Awka and its campuses in Nnewi, etc.; the University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka and its campuses in Enugu Campus, etc. Apart from the above, the era of Dr Mbadinuju as Anambra Governor remains the worst in the State’s history of human and capital development, protection of lives and properties and promotion of human rights, democracy and rule of law especially between June 1999 and 2003.

“Till today, no Government in Anambra State has thought it morally wise to honour and immortalise the slain Barr Barnabas and Barr Mrs. Amaka Igwe, who were gruesomely murdered in broad day light in Sept 2002 along Oraifite Street, Awada under Dr Mbadinuju as Governor. Their killers have not only remained on the prowl, but it is also likely that some are serving under the present Government of Anambra State”, the group said

The Rights group also rejected the appointment of the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Hassan Kukah as the Chancellor of the University.

Although, it disclosed that it holds no grudges against the Cleric, it stated however, it’s statistics about attacks on Christians across Nigeria showed that he had not used his vast links to various State and Federal Governments and their political and coercive establishments to get them act decisively to protect persecuting Christians.

Intersociety lauded the appointment of one of its members, Aloysius Attah, as the new Image Maker of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra by the school’s governing council.

The group said the appointment of Attah, a grassroots Activist, would add positively to the development of the university, while also commending Governor Soludo for the award of automatic employment to 37 first class graduates of the Chukwuma Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

It however, asked the governor to ensure that the affected beneficiaries are permanently employed, remunerated and accorded all the rights and privileges as career civil servants under the existing State Civil Service Rules.