By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Former Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University.
Governor Udom Emmanuel approved the appointed in a statement signed by Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Secretary to the State Government.
Udoma, Lawyer and a former member of the Nigerian Senate takes over from Samuel Inyang, who according to the statement has ‘stepped aside’ from his post.
No reason was given for Inyang’s decision to ‘step aside’ but findings revealed that this may not be unconnected with plans by the Governor to appoint a new vice chancellor from a particular senatorial district of the state
Udoma hails from Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District and with Inyang’s departure, observers believe that a new Vice Chancellor would likely come from Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.
The tenure of the current Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Eno Ibanga ended in April but he was reappointed in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor.
Ibanga was among the 8 nominees recently cleared by the state assembly for appointment as a member of the state executive council.
It is rumoured that the Governor has come under pressure from powerful interest groups to appoint the new Vice Chancellor of the state university from a particular senatorial district of the state.
