The Rivers chapter of the University of Port Harcourt (UniPort) Alumni Association has sued for peace in the election of a new vice chancellor for the university.

Sam Woka, the President of the association, made the call on behalf of members in a statement in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

According to him, the warring parties in the election should embrace peace to enable the university to move forward.

“The implication of having a leadership crisis by the halting of the election of a new Vice-Chancellor by the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt is of great concern to us.  

“We, therefore, call on all parties who took the matter to court and the respondents to submit themselves to the Board of Trustees of the alumni association.”

Woka said the association’s trustees,  led by Dr. Alex Otti,  intended to initiate an out-of-court settlement between the warring parties in the overall interest of the institution.  

“The association calls on the Federal Government and the university to positively respond to the demand of the alumni for the election or appointment of an alumnus as substantive vice-chancellor.

“The appointment of an alumnus should be done before the expiration of the tenure of the current vice-chancellor.

“The dreams of founding fathers of the institution can best be realized and redeemed with the emergence of an alumnus among the qualified professors in the race,” he said. 

Woka said the association had constituted a five-man COVID-19 Palliative Committee to respond to the needs of members adversely affected by Coronavirus outbreak in the country.

“So, we urge the public to observe social distancing, proper health, and sanitary hygiene, and follow all public health guidelines in order to reduce the spread of the virus,” he advised.

 

NAN