How Ex-Bursar Ridiculed Varsity in Ghana

By Inyali Peter

Investigation into the improprieties that led to the decision of the Management and Governing council of the University of Calabar, (UNICAL) to axe ex-Bursar, Mr. Peter Agi has revealed a shocking details on how he (Agi) ridiculed the institution in Ghana. 

A document exclusively obtained my Fearless Reports has revealed that Agi subjected the prestigious institution to national and international ridicule and disrepute. 

In fact, the Ghana incident which was cited showed that he was not just out to sabotage the growth of the institution but to ensure he reduced the university to nothing within and beyond the shores of this country.

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In December 2015, the university was billed to participate in the Pan-African Universities Debating Championship held at the university of Ghana, Legion. The Vice Chancellor who is statutorily responsible for making approvals performed his duty by approving an undisclosed sum of money for the program. But regrettably after an unnecessary delay, Agi reluctantly released a day after the championship had commenced only insignificant part of the approved funds.

He deliberately refused to release funds for the registration of the participants. This created an embarrassing scenario for the varsity contingents as they were not only humiliated but denied tournament materials. They were only allowed food after the leader of the team called Nigeria to borrow money from his wife to pay part of the registration fees.

To show clearly that Agi was committed to ridiculing the university, he released the exact amount of money previously approved by the Vice Chancellor. But this was after hundreds of embarrassing emails to the contingent leader from Legon demanding that the university pays the University of Ghana the 1,300 cedis  debt incurred during the tournament.

Painfully, it was so frustrating that when Agi released the money, it could no longer defray the indebtedness as the exchange rate of the Naira to Dollar at the time of application was about N200. By the time the Bursar released the approved registration fee, the exchange rate had skyrocketed above N300. 

Because of this, the University of Ghana today sees UNICAL as a dishonorable and disreputable institution in addition to the disgrace which the situation subjected the university community and the entire country to. 

May be only this his removall and consitent explanation by UNICAL with verifiable facts that prompt approval was given can prevent the total collapse of the mutual relationship that existed between the institutions.

While a lots have been said about the ex-bursar utter disregard for constituted authorities especially when it concerns releasing duly approved funds for staff and management, little or nothing has been said on how this almost ruined the reputation of the university in the international Community. 

Perhaps, his actions would have been excused considering the fact that he never had real experience on how a bursar should function prior to his appointment, but his ridiculous excuses that he was defiant to orders to release funds for academic activities because he was trying to be conservative with public funds as well guiding the university against unnecessary spending shows that he was fully conscious of what he was doing.

This is so because document obtained in the course of this investigation shows that any approval that concerns him directly or some of his allies were given speedy released. 

For instance, when he ingloriously sent his wife who is neither a staff nor contractor of the university to a conference on behalf of the institution, he unilaterally released over N3 million without consulting with the Vice Chancellor. Probably, he was scared that such approval would never have seen the light of the day.

Like stated in other articles about Agi's tenure as Bursar, all units, staff and students of any institution are there first for the purpose of academics before anything. This is why it's always emphasized that every activity in an academic environment must be geared towards advancing knowledge.

Regrettably, rather than work to improve and manage the reputation of the varsity, Agi instead acted in a way that was inimical to the reputation and growth of the institution.

This is more worrisome considering the fact that Agi is a product of UNICAL. Ordinarily, every alumnus/alumna of an institution should be concerned about the image and reputation of their former institution let alone staff. 

The opportunity Agi had but abused is what many people within and outside the country looks for to give to their alma matter. 

Even if there was internal wrangling  in the system which is normal, Agi would have put the reputation of the famous university first and above other things. 

The impression other people, institutions and partners hold about an organization is directly proportional to the way the organization present herself. Unfortunately, Agi presented UNICAL as a dishonourable institution may be for self recognition or unncessary ego and the damage has been enormous.

As a graduate of the institution, more was expected of him. In fact, he has the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu as a manual to learn from on how a graduate of an institution should act if given the opportunity to contribute to the development of his/her alma matter.

The rapid development witnessed under the Zana's administration is a clear indication of his passion and commitment to the golas and objectives of UNICAL. New programs are introduced every session. There's rapid infrastructural development going on and the general welfare of the students among other things have been given desired attention.

But for Agi, the story was never the same. What prompted him to give the university that makes him what he is today such heinous treatment is still unknown and only time shall tell.

REVEALED :ASUU Report That Nailed UNICAL Ex-Bursar, Agi

By Inyali Peter, Calabar

During the investigation of the former University of Calabar, (UNICAL) bursar, Peter Agi, there were retinue of petitions from almost all the over 200 units of the institution. But the want that broke the Carmel's back according to findings, was the weighty petition by the varsity branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

In an eleven page petition signed by its Chairman Dr. Tony Eyang and secretary, Dr. Jones Akung, on the 27th of September 2016, the association accused Agi of impunity, extreme disregard of the need for accountable behavior to individuals and established units and functionaries within the system.

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In about nine allegations leveled against him, the union noted that the ex-bursar activities were essentially and most unacceptably vitiated the objectives of the Union's grim struggles for improved funding for the university. Agi was said to be working in ways that stifled the development of academic activities, discouraged academic initiative, frustrate otherwise very committed staff and endangered scholarship in the university.

The Union accused Agi of "Mindless and  Unconscionable Rudeness to Professors, Functionaries, Colleagues and Staff". ASUU noted that the profundity of Agi's sense of self-esteem was quite legendary and there was countless reports of rudeness, insults meted on top university staff and functionaries including Professors, a situation described as " unforgivable " by the Union.

His arrogance according to the document was overbearing. When he was not directly insulting staff according to ASUU, he was cutting down on well considered approval made the Vice chancellor. This implies that Agi, consistently arrogated to himself superior approval powers to that of the Chief Executive and Chief Accounting Officer of the university (The Vice Chancellor).

This unacceptable act was of course absolutely new and strange to the university. In fact, it was in utter violation of the powers of the Chief Accounting Officer of the university. After his reapproval, payments was not dictated by availability of funds but by the whims and caprices of the bursar. This situation was regarded as the highest level of insubordination, betrayal of trust and share wickedness.

Similarly, Agi came under serious scrutiny over what the Union described as "Deliberate Withholding and Often Discriminatory Release of Approved and Legitimate Entitlements of Staff and Units". This accusation is more of an abuse of office as the ex-bursar was into the habit of releasing legitimate staff entitlement only when it pleases without recourse to datelines. Some staff entitlements was upheld for over three years for no meaningful reason other than his mood and pleasure.

For instance, under Agi, honoraria due to staff who participated in PGDM, MBA 1 and MBA 11 (Second Semester, 2013/2014 session), PGDM, MBA1 and MBA11 (First Semester, 2014/2015 session), Current/Teaching (First Semester, 2014/2015), Public Admin (First Semester 2014/2015), Marketing (Second Semester, 2014/2015) and Sandwich, August 2015 contact etc was upheld till Agi met his Waterloo.

A university is a training institution for both staff and students. In fact, even Professors are expected to continue to update and upgrade to meet up with contemporary challenges. Workshops, conferences, and seminars cannot be separated from any serious university. But, under Agi, staff development was frustrated as he deliberately denied them access to approved funds to engage in further studies or attend development programs.

University exist primarily for the purpose of academic thus, it is expected that anybody found in the academic environment should contribute meaningfully to the development of academics. 

But regrettably, Agi's actions shows clearly that he knew little or nothing about the basic requirements for strengthening of academic programs and the improvement of quality of teaching staff. If this was not the case then it means that he was out to sabotage to the development of the institution.

His gross disregard for approvals duly granted to staff to engage in further studies as well as attend conferences, workshops and seminars was not only weakening the system but was depriving the university the opportunity to participate in programs where scholars gathers to share ideas.

In fact, the highest victims of this anti-academics practice were staff under TETFUND scholarship. Many of them were so frustrated that they abandoned their studies. Even those studying abroad, abandoned their studies all owing to the outright refusal of Agi to release their legitimate fees and other allowances.

Agi, amongst others allegations was also accused of "Refusal to Release Approved Funds for The Development of Academic Programs". Even word's renowned universities like Oxford, Toronto, California etc needs to constantly expand their programs to continue to maintain the revered status of leading universities in the world. In Nigeria, no university can smoothly function without proper approval of its programs by the National University Commission, NUC. Even approved programs must be constantly strengthened so as not to loose their accreditation which is periodically reviewed.

Painfully, Agi's penchant for and strange pleasure at refusing to release funds duly approved to enhance already accredited programs, even when such funds are available, are essentially subversive of the university's pursuit of excellence. Not only does the situation conduce to the accumulation of rot in academic programs, it also makes preparation for reaccreditation avoidably expensive. 

Some Heads of Department, especially those with partial accreditation in many occasions had to go borrowing to address the basic needs for accreditation. May be, Agi was ignorance of the rate of implication of a loss of accreditation for the university, staff, students and their parents and the entire university community. He attempted many times to push the university to th embarrassing situation but thank God for the proactive nature of the Heads of Department.

The removal of Agi was indeed a blessing as all the allegations leveled against him by ASUU (Some will be discussed in subsequent edition) were found to be true by the joint Senate/Council committee set up to investigate him. 

Again contrary to insinuations that the incumbent Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu was the masterminded of his removal, the Union revealed that ASUU was the first body in the university that raised the alarm over Agi's overbearing attitude. This was captured in the concluding part of the report against Agi.

According to ASUU, "It is regrettable that the university was indeed tardy in dealing with the matter. Had it firmly addressed the issues when our union raised them earlier in its protests to both the university Administration and the Governing Council, the university might have been saved the extended agony it has now experienced in the hands of that official".

The ASUU report, according findings was more indicting and incriminating therefore the allegation of witch-hunting against the VC does not hold water. The reports by the investigation panel clearly showed that the decision of the governing council to relief Agi of his position was informed by his high level of anti-academics activities, arrogance and alleged fraud.

UNICAL: Blazing the trail in academic excellence

By: Best Amor

The quality of public education in Nigeria is generally acclaimed to be poor. Tertiary institutions in the country, which compete in number with stars in the skies, are most badly hit by this plaque. And many reasons are adduced for these fallen standards in education, which experts blame majorly on inadequate manpower, corruption of the system and unfocused/unproductive leaderships of higher institutions in the country.

However, there are a few exemptions of institutions which are carving a niche in the academic excellence today, in spite of the pathetic decay.

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The University of Calabar (Unical), in Cross River, Nigeria has proudly joined the league by conquering the entanglements that have bungled university education in most public institutions in the country. The varsity has sauntered unto the stage and heading towards the Hall of Fame among distinctive universities in the country with the enthronement of a multi-linguist, Professor Zana Itiunbe Akpagu as the Vice Chancellor in December of 2015.

Widely reputed as an organized, disciplined, stern and focused administrator, Akpagu has changed the wobbling fortunes of the university within the short time of his ascension to power. His years of romance with same university community since his undergraduate, postgraduate and years of working experience, where he rose to the position of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) have made him a master of his new assignment. He has floating knowledge about the peculiarities and intricacies of running the varsity. In effect, his elevation as the Vice Chancellor is just like walking on a familiar turf, having started from the lowest rung of leadership in the varsity.

Just yesterday, UniCal had the unenviable reputation of an active hub for cultism and exam malpractices. The trend became so fearsome that it scared both parents and prospective students from selecting UniCal as an institution of choice for studies. But the tide has positively changed unbelievably under Akpagu.

The university management has not only increased security vigilance on campus, but has no sacred cows in handling students suspected of cultism and associated vices, which are inimical to sound moral upbringing and learning. The standing disciplinary committee mandated to treat such cases, handle them with dispatch, availing accused students fair hearing and passing out verdicts in tandem with the level of culpability of individuals in accordance with the prescriptions of school laws.

This stern and strict response to campus vices by the university management has served as deterrence and compelled many students to renounce the evil. It is often claimed UniCal is the freest university campus South of Nigeria. This new aura of peace and tranquility on campus has translated into academic excellence as students devout more time to academics and those who are naturally committed to their studies are not unnecessary harassed and intimidated by wayward groups or cult gangs, which accounts for the soaring profile of the university in academics.

In addition, since an institution is rated mainly based on its academic excellence, Akpagu has kept an eagle eye on the quality of teaching and learning on both lecturers and students. This has yielded bountifully; as during its 29th convocation ceremony in 2016, Unical produced 12 first class graduates in various disciplines of studies. Sure of the quality of the products it is offering to the Nigerian labour market, Akpagu offered automatic employment to these 12 distinctive graduands to fortify the manpower base of the university.

At the pre-convocation press conference, Akpagu disclosed that 30 students were either expelled or suspended from the University for such Vices on campus, including exams malpractice, cultism and social other vices.

Similarly, academic staff who have decided to corrupt their academic purity and polluted the sanctity of knowledge have not been spared the rod. Under Prof. Akpagu as the VC, a Professor and a Doctorate degree holder indicted by a disciplinary committee set up by management to investigate allegations of plagiarism on them, found the senior lecturers guilty. They were retired from the services of the university. Though, the university system in Nigeria is full of such copycats, they are hardly penalized. The punitive action on the defective lecturers is a rare disciplinary measure taken on varsity academic staff in Nigeria. And proof that the university acted conscientiously and unbiased, even the ever belligerent ASUU never rose in their defence.

The uncompromising stance of the university’s current leadership has kept both staff and students on their toes. Students have confessed freedom from harassments and extortion for marks by lecturers; much as students are also aware that since a certificate is awarded at the end of the years of study based on “character and learning,” they have embraced the new code of conduct introduced by Akpagu.

Students have not only dumped cultism en masse, but can now differentiate between decent and indecent dressing. An aerial pictograph of students at Unical, no longer assaults your eyes with shadows in the semblance of porn actors on display, but decent Nigerians, young boys and girls, who are conscious of self-worth and dignity.

They know the university campus is a veritable stepping stone to character moulding in their aspirations to become good leaders in future and ambassadors of Nigeria, wherever the tide of life flings them to habitate in work or business.

To ensure a halt in the disruption of academic calendar, Professor Akpagu’s responsive leadership listens to complaints from both teaching and non-teaching staff and acts expediently in accordance with the extant laws of the university to address the issues. The prompt attention accorded to disputes is largely responsible for the seamless working relationship and the atmosphere of calm and peace on campus. It is devoid of confrontation of any kind or industrial unrest as, ensuring a smooth academic calendar which is diligently implemented without hitches.

Therefore, when the VC rose against the former bursar of the university, Mr. Peter Agi, who was eventually sacked, it was not all about his perceived fraudulent acts, but also because both staff and students complained loudly and widely about his highhandedness in administering the finances of the university, a development Akpagu reckoned could someday rock the prevailing peace on campus and disrupt academic work, if not checked.

To make research easy and at the disposal of lecturers and students, facilities at university’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) unit have been fully upgraded and standardized to render 24-hour service to the university community. New arrivals of textbooks have become the constant feature of the university library. And Akpagu has launched a N10 billion endowment fund for capital projects to further expand facilities or equip laboratories to make teaching and learning more fun than stress.

The VC has infinite interest in refreshing the knowledge of staff, particularly, academic staff. Some senior lecturers of the university are encouraged to research. Some of them have been enlisted on the sabbatical and internship programme of The Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited (SPDC) Joint Venture for research in diverse fields. The knowledge acquired would be of immense benefits to students and the university community generally.

With Akpagu on the saddle, Unical has become the newest bride, as Nigerians seek for knowledge. It is unarguably one of the choicest destinations for both parents and students, when contemplating the choice of an institution for knowledge acquisition and upright moral upbringing. May God Almighty continue to imbue Professor Akpagu and his team with the fertile wisdom in order to lift Unical in excellence beyond the expectations of Nigerians in a manner that will confer prestige on Nigeria when universities are rated around the world.

This is the essence of the #ChangeBeginsWithMe campaign, as launched by President Muhammedu Buhari. It is meant to encourage Nigerians to demonstrate their impact wherever they are chosen to lead. Professor Akpagu is on the same page with President Buhari and it explains the chorus of “Mr. Change,” whenever he is sighted on Unical campus.

Indeed, UniCal has embraced change! Someday, the story will be told of how stood against the forces of evil to restore the institution to glory.

The many positive reports that emanated from the convocation is a clear indication that Professor Akpagu has restored pride to UniCal and evrryone associated with UniCal can now hold thier heads high up with pride.

Amor is a public affairs commentator and contributed this piece from Calabar.

Exposed: The UNTOLD, Real Reasons Why UNICAL Bursar, Peter Agi Was SACKED

The dismissal of former University of Calabar Bursar, Peter Agi and its attendant brouhaha is no longer an issue of exclusive discourse as it has become an item in every gathering; it is also no longer news that the dismissal has been touted in various quarters that the bursar was just a product of witch hunt.

Many who have listened to the litany of reasons advanced by Agi are unfortunately aware of the real circumstances that led to his sack nor are they aware that the decision to relive the former bursar of his appointment had followed all laid down disciplinary procedure prescribed by law.

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However investigations have revealed that on Monday 22nd August, 2016 Mr. Agi at the bidding of the university management was suspended by the Vice Chancellor. Nonetheless this decision was not until management reviewed petitions from various organs of the institution against him. These reports were alleged cases of insubordination, delinquency and extremism displayed against staff, management including the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu.

The untold truth of the matter was that even after the said August suspension, another committee constituted by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Emmanuel Anyawu in order to ensure all characters involved had fair hearing as stipulated by Section15(1c); unfortunately, contrary to accounts of lack of fair trial, Agi flagrantly turned down the opportunity and instead turned in a bogus letter from his lawyer bragging of his invincibility and threatening the authorities.

Documents at our disposal show that the panel on receipt of the mock letter reviewed the Vice Chancellor's report as well as conducted interviews of all parties concerned including an intensive review of retinue of memoranda of complaints from staff, Unions and university committee upon which the decision was arrived at.

According to the panel’s report the former university bursar’s sack was justifiable owing to a large number transgression ranging from financial to moral contraventions amongst which:

As bursar, Mr. Peter Agi barefacedly issued the irregular transfer of funds without the knowledge, authorization or approval of the Vice Chancellor and in the same distrustful manner, delisted the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu, from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) e-payment platform.

He had unilaterally switched to unauthorized software platform (Zellence) for collection of school charges which ran into an excess of over N200, 000,000 (Two Hundred Million Naira) was collected and has remained unaccounted.

Mr. Agi was found to have shortchanged the institution, via the purchase of a different brand of vehicle (Toyota Highlander) instead of duly approved Sienna, at a cost higher than what the Vice Chancellor has approved.

Documents provided also proved that the former bursar had also refused to release Interim Payment Certificate (IPCs) and other payment to TETFUND and NEEDS Assessment Contractors even when funds were available setting back the process of accreditation for several departments in the university.

Unauthorized transfer of funds to undisclosed accounts without approval of the Vice Chancellor

Apart from the financial derelictions the panel’s report also showed that Mr. Peter Agi had been found guilty of flagrant disrespect of constituted authority and irresponsible conduct less befitting of a university bursar including:

Illegal mobilization and bringing of non-staff including thugs and cultists into the University to foment trouble and subsequent refusal to respond to query issued in the wake of the disturbance of the academic activities of the university of Calabar by some hoodlums suspiciously sponsored by Mr Agi on the 15th August, 2016.

The panel’s investigations also found Agi wanting of absence from duty without authorization, even as he demanded members of the University to transact university's business with him through phone call.

Subversion of University and civil service hierarchy by his autonomous granting of Press interviews without approval by appropriate structures of the university

Various interviews with staff as well as petitions available also accused him of intemperate use of insulting and disrespectful language on staff in both oral and written communication.

This inadvertently proves that against propaganda and general rumour whipped by Peter Agi and his co-travellers, fair play and strict adherence was followed to the latter to ensure that all parties involved had equal access to justice.

Who will save University of Calabar? By Udom Udo

It has been several months since that show of shame at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and the fallout one would expect in a society pursuing reforms are nowhere in sight. 

In August of 2016 the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zane Akpagu, against decency, had a faction of students protesting in his favour to counter the institution's bursar, Mr. Peter Agi and to suppress a protest against his regime of malfeasance. Agi’s reportedly incurred Professor Akpagu’s wrath for daring to be a whistleblower and exposing the corruption that had pushed the university to the edge of insolvency.

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While Professor Akpagu was quick to purportedly suspend the bursar, his action has done nothing to make the allegations of fraud levelled against him to go away. If anything, more facts came out about how he has practically run UNICAL aground.

One may also want to note that if the Vice Chancellor concluded that the bursar has to exit because of the trumped up charges, he has more grievous claims of infractions that should have by now made him to show the institution his back. 

Accusations against the Vice Chancellor included mismanagement of the University of Calabar TETFUND monies. Unlike the other institutions that judiciously used their intervention fund, UNICAL has not been able to show the kind of improvement that comes with TETFUND’s intervention in recent times.

It must also be put on record that Professor Akpagu has shown no remorse as he has shown disdain for the judiciary by his violation of a subsisting order of the National Industrial Court Uyo, in his desperate bid to punish Agi for exposing the crimes committed against the university and the federal government.

But Professor Akpagu’s greatest crime is abusing his position of authority to corrupt the students admitted into his care as Vice Chancellor. He drafted to protest in support of corruption and against the transparency that can come from whistle blowing. When parents relied on the pedigree of UNICAL to send their children there, being recruited as pro-corruption campaigners was not one of their desire. The Vice Chancellor has therefore lost the moral authority to continue guiding the future of these students as it would be most unfair on the upcoming generation to be taught that sleaze is a good thing that attracts accolade.

The latest report is that the Vice Chancellor is again plotting to incite students to again stage protests in his support even though he is aware that this is an unpopular position that would attract the ire of right thinking students who find corruption offensive. This is the recipe for violent clashes. The lives of the students are at risk because of one man’s desperation to cover his tracks.

It is not for nothing that society expects leaders with conflict of interest to step aside while weighty allegations against them are conclusively disposed of. The wisdom of this became evident recently when a civil society group alleged that he ruined the institution. UNICAL has become an institution where civil society organization mount regular protests, further dealing a blow to the reputation of the school. But even their protests have done nothing to make the Vice Chancellor see reason and do the right thing.

Professor Akpagu may stubbornly hold unto his position in the face of the reeking corruption around him but he has to accept that someone whose standing and integrity has to be perpetually second guessed is unfit to hold any position under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, who has sufficiently demonstrated that he will brook no such nonsense.

This is why it is imperative that the Presidency takes a critical look at the running of UNICAL. In doing this, anti-graft agencies should not allow themselves to be impeded by the fact that … squandered the institution's resources in attempt to help former President Goodluck Jonathan to win the 2015 election in that state. This is what has made it difficult for him to balance his books but in the fashion that has become popular he is going to claim witch-hunt for being sympathetic to the opposition.

Professor Akpagu’s corruption is killing UNICAL. Who will save the University of Calabar?

Udo is a concerned educationist writing from Ambu Street, Calabar.