26th July, 2023
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has rejected call for the reinstatement of newly employed staff of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, who were sacked recently for lack of due process in their employment.
Speaking while addressing the Rivers chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, who were on a courtesy visit to him at Government’s House Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Fubara explained that the workers were asked to go due to glaring irregularities in their employment.
The Governor also said the number of staff employed was bloated.
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Fubara said there was no way the employment would have been allowed because the process contravened approval of government for employment of 420 academic staff out of a total of 867 people to be employed.
He noted that contrary to the agreement, a total of 1900 people were employed out of which only 123 were academic staff.
According to him, “We are going to revisit it and that second process will be strictly on the initial approval, ensuring that the academic staff are more. We must give our people the best, that decision is in the best interest of the state, and more especially the future of our state.”
Fubara also assured that his administration was committed to youths empowerment and development of Rivers.
He, however, cautioned the youths against operating in splinters, noting that they can only get government support when they work in unity of purpose.
“We are working with three foreign companies that would bring in few investments. By the time they are established including agricultural projects, youth restiveness would reduce to the barest minimum.”
Earlier in his address, the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo said the visit was to congratulate the Governor on his electoral victory and the appointment of a youth activist, Chisom Gbali as Commissioner of Youth Affairs in the state.
He also appealed for the reconsideration of the state government’s decision on the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education employment process as it affects majority of the youths of the state.