By Bridget Odokwe, Barrister NG
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi has formally received the report of the Investigation Panel set up to probe allegations of improprieties levelled against the suspended Dean of Law, Prof Cyril Ndifon.
Receiving the report in a brief presentation ceremony in her office, the Vice Chancellor commended the Panel members for their effort and commitment towards the achievement of a thorough and objective report within a short period of time.
She said though Management has not gone through the report, she knows the report will be useful to the University and it will help the University achieve the needed closure to the subject matter and consequently move forward.
Prof. Obi who reiterated her happiness over the sacrifice and show of commitment by the Panel, assured that, the report will be presented to the Ministers of Education and that of Women Affairs as well as, Executive Secretary of NUC as delivered by the Panel, “nothing added, nothing removed”.
On the scale of mixed comments in the public domain which has trailed the reportage of the subject matter, the Vice Chancellor said the report of the Panel would serve as the mouthpiece of the University to all.
On the capacity of the panel members, the University helmsman stated that they were carefully selected based on their offices, position and credibility, describing them as individuals full of capacity and integrity.
In her words; “I wanted someone who cannot be influenced, and on behalf of the University Management, I want to thank the Chairman for accepting to head this Panel. I want to also thank every member of the Panel.
To take the University higher we need men and women who are credible”, she added.
The Vice-Chancellor said it was very unusual to have an External Observer for any investigation in the university but, because of the sensitive nature of the issues raised and the personalities involved, Management had to make an exception.
presenting the report, the Chairman of the Panel, Prof. Dorothy Oluwagbemi Jacob said the Panel was sent on an errand, on a fact-finding mission and collectively, they came to present their findings.
In her words, “We went out of our way to investigate the issues point by point. We did not rely on hearsay. We did the work objectively. We allowed all stakeholders to speak their minds.
Every finding has evidence with verification. The result was not made up or cooked. Every fact here can be verified”.
In her words, “We went out of our way to investigate the issues point by point. We did not rely on hearsay. We did the work objectively. We allowed all stakeholders to speak their minds.
Every finding has evidence with verification. The result was not made up or cooked. Every fact here can be verified”.
She used the occasion to commend Members of the Panel for their cooperation, time and commitment towards the success of their mandate, adding that, should anyone find the report beautiful, it is because of the collaborations of the professionals involved.