Tyres burnt by protesters in at the gate of College of Education, Mosogar.
Ovedhe Hezekiah – Warri.
Indigenes of Mosogar Kingdom in Ethiope West local government area, Delta state, have protested the non appointment of their kith and kin into key positions in College of Education, Mosogar.
The protesters on Tuesday barricaded the gate of the college burning tyres and displaying placards.
The protesters said one of them who sought the position of Provost of the college was ‘unjustly disqualified’.
Leaders of the kingdom have petitioned the Governor of Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa over alleged marginalisation of the community in key appointments in the college.
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In the petition addressed to the Governor, the Mosogar Development Union, specifically mentioned that in a just concluded provost interview, they observed sadly that their own son Dr Moses Ogheneovo Omayuli who was shortlisted, cleared, and interviewed was unceremoniously disqualified after coming out as the overall best with 84.90% among those interviewed, on the basis of age.
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The protest letter signed by Chief O.C Akporokah, the President General the union and four others, claimed that there is a well orchestrated plan by the governing council and the Ministry of Higher Education to ensure that the kingdom is not only short changed but also mocked and relegated to the background.
In a telephone chat with this reporter on the crises, the former council chairman of Ethiope West, Dr Wilson Omene cited instances of provost appointments made despite their ages, saying their son should be availed the opportunity to serve in the college as a substantive provost.
Some of the protesters at the gate of the College.
According to him “In the just concluded Provost interview, we observed sadly that our son, Dr Moses Ogheneovo Omayuli who was shortlisted, cleared and interviewed was unceremoniously disqualified after coming out as the overall best with 84.90% among those interviewed. The reasons given for his disqualification is totally unacceptable to us as a community”.
When contacted, in reaction to the allegation, the Commissioner of Higher Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare said, “an advert was placed on major newspapers stating the qualifications and one of the qualification was 60 years of age, the advert did not say being an indigene of Mosogar, it qualifies you to be a sole candidate, anyone applying for a position should access himself if he is qualified or not, not play on the sentiment of an indigene” he said.
