The Alumni Association of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) has described the award of professorship on the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Patani as totally questionable, inexplicable and inappropriate.
It particularly stated that its National Executive Council (NEC) diligently considered the unresolved issue over the shady and shoddy appointment of Dr. Isa Pantami as a Professor at its alma mater and has taken note of the position of the National body of ASUU.
The Alumni, in a statement jointly signed by Mr. Ndubuisi Chijioke and Mr Kingsley Azuaru, National President and Secretary respectively of the FUTO Alumni, noted that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was right in advising FUTO management to reconsider the appointment.
The statement states; “FUTO Alumni Association reaffirms her position that the professorship of Pantami was inappropriate
“FUTO Alumni Association appreciates the national body of ASUU and the local chapter for jointly condemning the appointment of Pantami as professor in FUTO.
“The National Secretariat, therefore, reaffirmed FUTO alumni association’s position that Pantami’s appointment was inexplicable and questionable,” it said.
The association also noted as most unfortunate a move by a so called group on the aegis of “Alumni Elders” planning to host the management of the university to a dinner where it planned to declare support for the award.
The FUTO Alumni declared that the so called “Alumni Elders” is not a recognised body by the Association’s constitution.
The Alumni also said; “It is a deception for the so called “FUTO Alumni Elders” to deceive the public that the so-called re-union is being organised in conjunction with FUTO Alumni Association.
“FUTO Alumni Association is not involved in whatsoever manner with the scheduled dinner by the group called “FUTO Alumni Elders”.
“NEC considers the use of the association’s name in the promotion of this event without its consent a grievous infringement and subversion of the alumni leadership,” it said.
The statement further said that the NEC of the Alumni had not committed any funds or authorised the university to avail or expend any fund on the event from the Alumni funds.
In the words of the FUTO Alumni; “In conclusion on the subject issue, NEC wishes to dissociate FUTO Alumni Association and her members from this event. And all Chapter executives have been mandated to communicate this position immediately to their members”.
