Cardinal Peter Opkalake has reportedly approved what he called ‘Collapsing’ of the recently constituted Board of Trustees and the Governing Council of troubled-Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra State with the intention to resolved the deep rancor that dominated the institution after the demise of the founder, Very Rev. Msgr. Prof John Bosco Akam in 2021.
It was gathered that many of Board and Council members are living in anxiety since the Cardinal announced what he called “collapsing” of the two governing structures of the university even though there are some who are optimistic of being retained on the grounds that they are in the good books of the Cardinal. Report say new members will be introduced to strengthen the institution.
A visit by our correspondents to the University revealed an aura of suspense. Most of the lecturers who were close to the embattled Pro-Chancellor were not in a good mood as witnessed by our correspondents.
One of them said the suspense was distracting them from their work while another said they want the Pro-Chancellor to be relieved after tumultuous experience since she assumed the position.
The dissolution was “with immediate effect”.
Chidi-Peters Okorie, the former Public Relations Officer and confident to Msgr Akam called for a more transparent governance of the University to bring in fresh blood and allow the proprietor, Missionary Servants of the Church, as recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to manage the institution for better responses and to end acrimonious debate of the Founder’s LAST WILL.
He also advised that MSC be allowed to “always enjoy special protection from the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia, Peter Cardinal Okpalake,” pointing out how, over the years the Diocese of Ijebu-Ode had accepted and given the Congregation firmed identity as a “juris prudential” congregation in the Universal Church.
Okorei who was former aid to the late Msgr Akam also stressed “the need to begin a profound spiritual, moral and institutional renewal of the entire MSC/MST to maintain it existence, to help overcome crises, as well as to guarantee the existence and development of the University, including in its rights of sovereignty in the Church.”
It is also believed that the proposed improved Board and Governing Council will resolve the impasses between the University, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, Renant Industries Company Ltd and Delta Plant Construction Company Ltd that have stuck the University over the years.
He decried that the crises which were further compounded after the demise of Msgr Akam was already crippling activities in the University, noting that this informed the intervention of the Cardinal Okpalake.
He believes that the issues could have been avoided and all parties brought to the negotiation table hence the need to work together for the well-being of the institution.
He stressed the importance of dialogue and the need for restraint in trying to enforce one’s rights, and appealed to the parties to give peace a chance while negotiations continued.