From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Benue State Polytechnic Ugbokolo Chapter and the Concerned Idoma Senior Staff Association of the institution have frowned at the recent removal of Dr. Nathaniel Oche as Rector of the College by Governor Hyacinth Alia government.
Dr. Oche who was appointed Rector of the institution in May 25, 2023 for a five year tenure, was recently removed from office by the present administration.
The groups at a media briefing on Wednesday in Makurdi after its Congress, appealed for reversal of the action.
Chairman of ASUP Benue Polytechnic chapter, Comrade David Owuna recalled how the institution was ran in Acting capacity for 18 months contrary to the provisions of the law, before the appointment of Dr. Oche as the first indigenous Rector of the institution last May.
The union maintained that Dr. Oche had performed exceptionally within the short period he administered the institution and had taken right decisions as well as made appropriate appointments that had created industrial harmony in the institution hence the resolve of the union to call for the reversal of his sack.
The union noted that “in his brief stay in office so far as the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Oche had succeeded in bringing about relative peace both within and outside the campus. He had also been very liberal in the appointments of staff, a situation that had eluded the polytechnic for about two decades.
“His coming as Rector greatly unified staff of the school with respect to harmonious working relationship; and with these, a new phase of relative developments was gradually being entrenched in the polytechnic, only now to hear of his removal from office tied to the report of a visitation panel believed to be false”.
The union also expressed surprise that the appointments of Deputy Rectors, Administration and Academics and other appointments made by the Rector that were denied the polytechnic in the past were also reversed by the Commissioner of Education for unexplained reasons.
“This therefore, is the crux of the matter, and it is totally unacceptable to members. In view of the above, and given that if there was any misdeeds by the Rector he has not been given any fair hearing; the union hereby appeal to the Govemor and the Visitor to the Polytechnic to kindly re-consider his decision concerning the removal of Dr. Nathaniel Oche as the Rector of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo for industrial harmony and peaceful coexistence.”
