Ayade Dares CRUTECH ASUU, Appoints Ag. VC From UNICAL, ASUU Kicks

By Patrick Obia

The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Ben Ayade has dared the
Academic Staff Union of Universities CRUTECH branch, by appointing
new Acting Vice Chancellor (Prof. Ogar David) of the university
from University of Calabar (UNICAL) against the Union’s insistence
that the new Acting Vice Chancellor should come from the list of
five persons sent by the institution’s Governing Council.

The Union had in an interactive chat with Journalists in Calabar
at the NUJ Press Center, disclosed that, it had received vital
information that the Governor was considering two names from UNICAL
which they protested.

With the latest development, the union held an emergency
Congress with it members to discuss the way forward. The Congress
which held at ETF lecture Hall inside the varsity Friday, lasted
for three hours and few minutes with Dr. Emmanuel Ettah, ASUU
Chairman, CRUTECH branch gave a rundown of the emergency
congress.

“ASUU had an emergency Congress on the issue bothering on the
appointment of new Acting Vice Chancellor from outside the five
names given by the Governing Council of the university.

“ASUU condemns in clear terms such action that breached the
western miscellaneous Act 2003 and law governing the university and
other Nigeria universities. ASUU is in consultation with the
National body for further action to be taken on the matter. ASUU
has condemned it in strong terms.”

Prof. Ogar David, a professor of Forest Economics and Management
in the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources
Management, University of Calabar, Calabar, was appointed on
Thursday, 7th November, 2019 after the Academic Staff Union of
Universities, ASUU ,CRUTECH branch, had given the State Government
ultimatum to appoint new Ag. VC or embark on strike action.

Prof. Ogar, an indigene of Otukpuru in Bekwarra Local Government
Area of Cross River State, takes over from Prof. Akon Joshua who
also served as an Acting Vice Chancellor, after her tenure
expired.

He holds a Ph.D and MSc. Degrees in Forest Economics and
Management from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, in addition to a
Bachelor degree in Forestry and Wildlife from the University of
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

He was a Sub-Dean, Faculty of Agriculture (2004-2006) and Head,
Department of Forestry, University of Calabar (2006-2008).

He is a Fulbright Scholar and Grantee of African Academy of
Science. He has researched extensively on carbon stores in tropical
rain forest and management among others. He has successfully
supervised several Ph.Ds, MScs and undergraduates.

He taught Integrated Conservation and Development to the
Postgraduate Students at Brandeis University, Massachusetts, USA.
He was a Consultant to FAO/Federal Ministry of Environment,
USAID/SPACE, DFID/Cross River State Forestry Commission and Ford
Foundation/NEST.

He was an Adjunct Lecturer and a visiting Scholar to the
Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom
State.

Until his appointment, he was the Head of Department, Department
of Forestry and wildlife Resource Management, UNICAL.

He is married to Mrs. Paulina Oshama Ogar and blessed with 3
Children.

Subscribe ToNairalaw News!