The level of employment scam rocking the University of Nigeria, Nsukka have attracted public attention, the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, said that not less than 23 staff of the university are presently being questioned by the directorate of state security (DSS).

The UNN 14th vice chancellor made this known to newsmen while responding to questions during the end-tenure press briefing at Princess Alexandria Auditorium (PAA) of the university.

It is reported that money ranging from N500,000 to N1.5m was being collected from job seekers. Some of them end up not getting any job even after making the said payment. He said that he does not respond to rumours peddlers seeking attention, noted that “if you are a victim, or you know any of such persons, let him come up, we will deal with the case.

“Already (UNN) we are working with the DSS on this and 23 persons are already being interrogated. There is also the issue of admission racketeering; these things did not start today, they have been there.

“Prior to 2014, the UNN was listed as dysfunctional but today and for the third consecutive year since 2016, we are ranked by Webometrics as number one University in Nigeria, especially in the area of research.

“Our enviable position as the Best in Research publications is still very evident and among the top 1,500 universities in the world,” he said.

He said his administration met backlog of programme and course not accredited. “Today, the story is different as over 100 academic programme running in this university are fully accredited.

“Under my stewardship in UNN new faculties were created such as faculty of Vocational and Technical Education and Faculty of Basic Medical Science are created,” he added.

He expressed appreciation to the university council members, university management staff and students for the maximum support and cooperation given to his administration.

Prof. Ozumba said that the first move on assumption of office was to restore peace and tranquility within the campuses, as well as improve the welfare of staff and students.

The vice chancellor explained that his administration enhanced knowledge and usage of ICT creation of new faculties; Establishment of Science Park; regular and prompt payment of workers’ salaries, as well as the generation of electricity from wastes and manufacturing of the lion laptop as innovations to put the university on the world map, among others.

He also said that his administration had some completed projects to be inaugurated before his exit in June 14, 2019.

In a remark, the chairman of the end of service committee, Prof. Nnanyelugo Okoro, described the vice chancellor as a consummate administrator and a professional per excellence whose tenure had achieved much for the university .within five years single tenure of institution. (Vanguard)

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