Efio-Ita Nyok|29 June 2016|8:10am
On the 23 of June this year, Obasesam Okoi a Canadian based academic of Cross River origin gave His Excellency the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, nothing less than 30 days to fix the ITM, Ugep failure in which will lead to a 10,000 people mass action against the present state government. This notice is contained in a recent article titled: Before the Crisis Break: Pay ITM Now!
According to Dr Okoi, 'The students are once again losing confidence in the government. The last protest we organized was to test the ground for mass action. We are looking to mobilize 10,000 people to the streets in a campaign that will shut down the movement of vehicles'.
The then 30 days, now 23 days ultimatum is incited by the failure of the Ben Ayade administration to financially fund the running of the higher institution especially the payment of salaries to both academic and non academic staff.
'Till date the school has yet to receive any money. Consequently, the teaching and non-teaching staff have not been paid, while the quality of teaching is gradually dropping and no longer commensurate with the initial design of the school', Dr Okoi observed.
The renowned social commentator said that he had never entertained the thought that Governor Ben Ayade would renege on his promise of ensuring that the school run as was designed especially with his appointment of no mean an academic in the person of Professor Austine Angba as Rector of the institution. But, alas the unexpected was the case. Therefore, Dr Okoi was compelled to initiate a social action capable of disrupting economic activities in the state. In his own words, 'We know the impact of shutting down the federal road for even 24 hours and no deployment of military might by Ayade's government can stop a people committed to change. By this notice we are giving Ayade's government one month ultimatum to settle the ITM issue. Should the governor continue with his recalcitrant attitude we will unravel surprises by discouraging potential investors'.
What follows is excerpt of the full rendition of the social media message of Obasesam Okoi:
Before the Crisis Break: Pay ITM Now!
Recently I traveled to Nigeria to lead a protest against the Cross River State Government concerning the closure of ITM Ugep, when it was evident that all hopes of resumption had been lost, while the students were getting frustrated of staying at home after paying hundreds of thousands of Naira to receive quality training based on the agreement between the government and Highbury College in England.
I thought the governor is a man of integrity who will be sincere to his words when he announced the resumption of ITM following the termination of the partnership contract with Highbury College and subsequently the appointment of Professor Austine Angba as new Rector of the Institute.
Unfortunately, the governor has reneged on his promises. Till date the school has yet to receive any money. Consequently, the teaching and non-teaching staff have not been paid, while the quality of teaching is gradually dropping and no longer commensurate with the initial design of the school. The students are once again losing confidence in the government.
The last protest we organized was to test the ground for mass action. We are looking to mobilize 10,000 people to the streets in a campaign that will shut down the movement of vehicles. We know the impact of shutting down the federal road for even 24 hours and no deployment of military might by Ayade's government can stop a people committed to change.
By this notice we are giving Ayade's government one month ultimatum to settle the ITM issue. Should the governor continue with his recalcitrant attitude we will unravel surprises by discouraging potential investors.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of Negroidhaven.org (Negroid Haven)
