By Jonathan Ugbal
Barring any last minute change, the governing council of the Cross River University of Technology will announce a Vice Chancellor (VC) elect today.
This will be 20 months and four acting VCs after the expiration of the tenure of the last substantive VC, Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh on February 28, 2019.
Below is CrossRiverWatch’s timeline of the events so far.
The varsity’s visitor, Governor Ben Ayade had extended the tenure of Professor Owan-Enoh by two months until April 28, 2019.
And, following his inability to make any appointment, the Governing Council led by Mr. Emil Inyang appointed Professor Jones Ingwu as acting VC on April 28, 2019.
However, Mr. Ayade is reported to have said on May 1, 2019 that anyone interested in becoming the substantive VC should not act. And, Professor Ingwu stepped down on May 1, less than 24 hours before the matriculation ceremony of the 2019/2020 session slated for May 2, 2019.
The then Chairman of the committee of deans, Dr. Nsing Ogar toured the campuses for the matriculation on May 2nd and 3rd.
Mr. Ayade then announced Professor Akon Joshua as acting VC on May 6, 2019 as acting VC. The Governing Council was then dissolved. However, Professor Joshua was reappointed three months later on August 6, 2019.
Mr. Ayade will then announce Professor David Ogar as acting Vice Chancellor on November 6, 2019 for an acting term of three months. He was reappointed for another acting term of three months on February 6, 2020.
As at this time, Mr. Ayade had reconstituted the Governing Council to be led by Mr. Inyang again.
He then reappointed Professor Ogar as acting VC on February 6 for a three months tenure.
The Governor will later appoint Professor Austine Angba as acting VC on May 6, 2020. However, there was slight drama on August 6th when Angba’s term expired. However, Mr. Ayade will on August 7, reappoint him for another acting tenure which will elapse on Saturday, November 7, 2020.
As at press time, three out of the 11 people who applied had been disqualified by the joint panel.
Of the eight left, Professor Jones Ingwu and John Undie from Obudu Local Government Area; Professors David Ogar and Anthony Eneji from Bekwarra as well as Professor Angba from Yala are said to be the major contenders.
This reporter gathered that the panel was still awaiting back channel communication as to who was preferred by the visitor.
UPDATE: 21:07, 7/11/2020
By Patrick Obia
Prof. Augustine Angba, 18 months after has emerged as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH).
Angba’s appointment announced by the varsity management on Friday, November 6, is coming after his appointment which was given on May 2020 elapsed.
Born in Uchu Yache, Yala Local Government Area, is a professor of agricultural extension in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Calabar and also former Rector of the Institute of Technology and Management (ITM) Ugep.
He was appointed on the Acting capacity by Governor Ben Ayade to take over from Professor Ogar David Abua after his three months tenure elapsed.
Recall that Professor Ogar David Abua took over the batton of the Ag. Vice Chancellor of CRUTECH on November 17, 2019 from Odukpani born Professor Akon Joshua who served two tenures (six months) after the period of Professor Anthony Own Enoh came to an end as the Vice Chancellor of the varsity in 2019.
His elevation has been met with praises as Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments, lecturers and students have taken to social media to dish out heart felt congratulatory messages.
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