By Kelechi Ugo.
Students of the Imo State College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo in Nwangele Local have disowned a newspaper publication of one of the Imo based tabloids titled,”Alleged fraud: Amaigbo College of Health students set for shutdown,Provost fingered”.
However,some journalists who visited the Institution at Amaigbo on Friday 20th September,2024 observed that the environment was very peaceful as students were busily engaged with their lectures.
A final year student,Mr. Akubuiro Uchenna Paul condemned the publication wondering where the source of the allegation come from.
Mr. Akubuiro challenged the author of the publication to mention names of the students who are set for shutdown attributing it to pure imagination of its writer as no student has ever complained of fraud or extortion since he got admitted into the School.
Miss Juliet Ezenyi who is also a final year student maintained that they enjoy cordial relationship with the Management and staff of the Health Institution and never experienced exorbitant fees or extortion.
She described the Acting Provost,Pharm. Obiasogu Ethelbert Okechukwu as an agent of development to the Institution.
Another student,Mr. Chidera Ephraim of year one,flayed the allegation of fraud querying why some people chose to be inciting public and students against the Provost and the School Management.
Meanwhile,a senior lecturer who did not want his name on print told journalists that some of the HODs who are not happy with the transparent gesture of the Acting Provost are behind the misleading publication.
According to him,”some people who are desperate to become the Provost are behind the malicious publication.
Some of them have falsified documents raging from date of birth and confirmation of appointment.
No doubt,our current Acting Provost, Pharm.Obiasogu has recorded tremendous achievements,our students can now be deployed for NYSC. Those people fighting the Provost want to take over and distract the Governor.
The Provost does not withhold any staff salary after State Government releases fund as claimed by the author of the publication.
It is on records that every staff gets his/her salary from the Office of Imo State Accountant-General. Look inward and know the best Provost of this Institution since its establishment in 1983.
Pharm. Obiasogu was a union leader before his elevation.
For instance,he was the Chairman of Joint Health Sector, Amaigbo branch.
And he knows what is good for the workers “.
Recall that the Acting Provost of Imo State College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo in Nwangele Local Government Area of the State, Pharmacist Ethelbert Okechukwu Obiasogu had earlier disowned a document circulating on social media that fresh students were told to pay the sum of forty thousand naira only (#40,000.00) each as matriculation fee.
Briefing newsmen in his Office on Thursday 19th September,2024, Pharm. Obiasogu stated that the School Management is currently committed in ensuring that the fresh students are deployed to their various departments and never scheduled a date for matriculation ceremony as stated in the fake document.
He urged members of the general public to disregard the rumour as it emanated from mischief makers and enemies of the Institution.
According to him,”Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has done noble in elevating and reviving the College of Health recounting the developmental strides that have taken place under his watch which include accreditations,OND,HND,deployment of students for National Youth Service Corps,NYSC CBT Centre, E-library and Infrastructural development.
We are happy that our students can now go for NYSC since 1983 this School was established. We have been able to clear backlog fees owed NBTC. Let me seize this opportunity to thank His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma for his untiring efforts in ensuring that we thrive.
It is pertinent to reiterate that our enemies are behind that document alleging that fresh students are to pay 40k for matriculation ceremony. Let me sound it clear that we have not finished admission. Infact, that document was not signed by the Management of Imo State College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo “.
“Our challenge is that our former Provost exhausted our employment waiver and thereby making it impossible for us to currently employ professionals for special purposes.
Recall that the State Government gave us 320 chances (waiver) to employ staff which our then Provost filled up.
While Imo College of Education,Ihitte-Uboma was also given same number of chances (employment waiver),but it only employed 80 staff and continued filling the vacuum whenever the need raises.
Above all,we are happy with our amiable Governor Uzodimma who made it possible for our Institution to issue her students internationally recognized certificates”, the Provost stated.
