Members of staff of St. Paul University Awka, Anambra State, are threatening to disrupt the first convocation ceremony of the school due to take place on Saturday, October 10, 2014, except their needs are met.

Speaking through a group known as “We love St. Paul University” the aggrieved staff in an 18-point petition accused the university management of abridging their freedom thhrough autocratic style of leadership.

The petition also alleged that the since the university opened in 2009, the staff have never had promotions or direct contact with the school management in the past five years.

The petition reads:

1. Paul university staff have not been promoted/appraised since 2009/2010 to date. Why?

2. Staff of the university have no voice. They live in perpetual fear, replica of the slave era. There is no forum for exchange of ideas, no suggestion box, no direct communication b/w the management (VC) and the entire staff, except in two occasions since in 5 years now, considering the fact that the university is a small community. Why?

3. Both regular and part time staff are denied access to salary advance and salary loans, even when some banks are willing to render such services to staff. Why?

4. Salary arrears: staff have been reduced to vegetable due to salaries owed them, and when paid it is done in such a wicked manner so that it will not benefit them. As at today, the staff are owed 2 months salaries. Why?

5. Poor relationship on the part of the management (principal staff): they lack the spirit to “really reach out” to persons that can partner with the university to achieve its target goals. Why?

6. Dictatorial rule: in meetings – management, committees and subcommittees meetings, the vice chancellor “forces” his opinion to be accepted. Why?

7. Employment status: does the employment reflect the ownership on the university or is it done on the basis on “man knows man”? Why?

8. Execution of projects and chairing of important committees: why must it be Prof. Katchi that is given such privileged position all the time? Is it accidental, coincidental or intentional? How?

9. Declaring Paul University bankrupt after convocation: it is rumoured that there is a grand plan by the management to declare the university bankrupt after the university convocation on 10th October, 2014. If it is true, why?

10. Injustice in salary structure: while the rich retired staff are paid very attractive salary, the young regular staff are paid peanuts as salary…there is no definite salary regime/parameter. Why?

11. Flagrant disobedience of university rules by the university bursar, Sir Simeon Nnoli. A well known case is one that the bursar refuses to allow his car to be searched by the security men at the gate. The Vice Chancellor, registrar, bishops, BOT members, governing council members and other staff and visitors subject themselves to such search except bursar. Up till today he is the only person that the security men would not search at the gate. Is bursar above the law or what?

12. Leaking of important information to the staff and public: the bursar is too flippant and has no secrets. Once he is out from a meeting he starts telling everyone what happened…even to junior staff who will be ready to hear his endless talks.

13. Bursar’s acts of insubordination: the university bursar is arrogant, boastful and inhuman; all the bad traits make him disobey rules and directives from the vice chancellor.

14. Staff exist under fear: they are so dehumanised to the extent that all, including some Profs live under fear.

15. There is no staff union and no staff welfare in Paul University. Are these staff animals?

16. Plan to foist one of the cabal loyal Prof as the new Vice Chancellor. This same Prof does not have good human relation and leadership skills. His record at Unizik attests to these claims. This rumour has element of facts.

17. Other very sensitive information are reserved because we love Paul University and Anglican Church.

18. Staff members are mandated to come to work on the two Federal Government declared holiday because of convocation preparations and no incentive is given to them, in the face of two months’ salary arrears.

The petitioners further demanded for a very young dynamic new Vice chancellor selected from a neutral environment and not from the University as the current VC of the institution, Prof Gaius Igboeli, winds up his tenure at the end of this month.

•Photo courtesy of Odogwu Emeka Odogwu.

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