ISHIAGU – Prof. Felix Anuebunwa, Acting Provost, Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi has called for more collaboration between the college and Ishiagu community.
Anuebunwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Ishiagu that the college enjoyed cordial relationship with the host community.
“We have made giant strides in areas of academic and infrastructure developments due to cordial relationship we enjoy with our host community.
“Since its inception 20 years ago, the college has not had any friction with the community and most of the staff and students reside in the town.
“Because we enjoy peace and security we have been able to channel resources toward deepening academic and infrastructure development in the institution,’’ he said.
He, however, called for stronger collaboration between authorities of the college and leadership of Ishiagu community to sustain the existing relationship.
According to him, stronger collaboration will give room to new synergy between the institution and leadership of the community and this will sustain existing cordial relationship we all enjoy.
The provost denied allegation that the community was being marginalised in staff recruitment into the senior cadre of the institution.
He said the college had always adhered to the principle of federal character in all its recruitment, adding that qualified members of the community had benefited in the exercise.
“Job recruitment in the college is done based on approved quota and we ensure compliance with the principles of federal character in conducting the exercise.
“The allegation of marginalisation is spurious and unfounded and I challenge anyone with proof to come up with it.’’
The provost said the institution had taken steps to improve internally generated revenue to boost its revenue profile.
The institution had built and inaugurated it bakery that would produce bread and other confectioneries on commercial basis.
It also purchased an articulated vehicle that would be put on hire to members of the public at fixed rates.
“We have upgraded our cassava processing plant to process cassava products for sale to members of public,’’ he said.
Anuebunwa reaffirmed the college’s zero tolerance for cultism and examination malpractice, saying students caught in the act would be expelled. (NAN)
