The former Vice Chancellor of the Imo state university said his nomination was not because of his family relationship with the state Governor, Mr. Rochas Okorocha.
Professor Anwuka made the revelation while responding to allegations against him brought before the senate committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions ahead of his screening as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The allegations border on four issues
about Professor Anwuka’s public and private life including the fact that he is an in-law to Governor Rochas Okorocha. He however told the committee that he did not commit any offence by allowing his first son to marry a woman he loves, who happens to be the daughter of their state governor.
“It is the joy of any father to see his first son get married to the woman of his choice especially when both families hail from the same tribe…the couple recently gave me grandson, and that is what somebody is using against me for being nominated as a minister”.
Other alleged offences committed by the former Vice Chancellor according to the petitioner, was that he spent =N=800, 000 to rebuild the fence of his official residence which was destroyed by rain storm but he was quick to argue that the financial regulations of the university allowed him to spend up to =N=1million as limit of a Vice Chancellor without recourse to the university senate’s approval.
Secondly, he was faulted for accepting a bus that costs =N=3.8miillion instead of a car worth =N=4.8million recommended for him as part of his retirement benefits. The nominee told the senate committee that his decision to accept a vehicle that is one million naira cheaper was to help the university save some money, since the bus can serve similar purpose.
More so, he was faulted for deciding to teach only students of Ph.D and Masters Degree programmes since he was appointed VC of the institution. According to Professor Anwuka, “At that level what you are expected to do as a senior Professor is to sit in the undergraduates class and observe the lecturers practicing what you have taught them. Thereafter, you invite that lecturer to the office and show him the areas of deficiency so that he can improve on them.
A senior Professor is not expected to be struggling for teaching time with people he taught and groomed” he argued.
On allegations of financial impropriety and indictment by a panel of inquiry, Professor Anwuka who is also a former Secretary to the Imo state government, denied all the charges, stressing that his integrity and intention to always do the right thing attracted many enemies.
“When I resumed as the VC of Imo state university in the year 2000, I inherited =N=42,000 but when I was leaving, I left =N=846million in the coffers so, financially I was not found wanting. Secondly, there was a final judgment rendering that white paper by the panel of inquiry null and void. I have submitted a copy of that final judgment to your committee that white paper was thrown away.”
Chairman of the committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu congratulated the professor for his nomination by Mr. President and time consciousness with regards to his invitation to face the committee. Senator Anyanwu assured the ministerial nominee that his committee was poised to give a responsible judgment that is in the interest of the nation.