National President of the Niger Delta Youth Council of Nigeria (NDYCN), Comrade Ufuoma Victor Erharhine, has defended the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Port Harcourt, Professor Okechukwu Onuchukwu, over criticisms surrounding his daughter’s postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom, describing the attacks as unfair and misplaced.
Erharhine, in a statement made available to Journalists, congratulated Professor Onuchukwu and his daughter, Miss Emmanuella Okechukwu Onuchukwu, on her successful graduation with a Master’s degree from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
He said the graduation ceremony, which was attended by the Acting Vice-Chancellor and his wife, was a moment of pride not only for the family but also for Rivers State and the Nigerian academic community, adding that the achievement reflected hard work, discipline and academic excellence.
The NDYCN president expressed concern over what he described as attempts by some individuals to politicise the daughter’s educational success by accusing the Acting Vice-Chancellor of sending his child abroad for studies while leading a Nigerian university.
According to him, Professor Onuchukwu’s daughter earned admission into the UK institution through due process after successfully meeting the university’s admission requirements, insisting that there was nothing improper about a Nigerian parent supporting the education of his child abroad.
Erharhine noted that available records showed that the Vice-Chancellor’s daughters first obtained their undergraduate degrees from Babcock University in Ogun State, where they graduated with Second Class Upper Division long before Professor Onuchukwu assumed office as Acting Vice-Chancellor.
He argued that after completing their undergraduate education in Nigeria, the graduates independently applied for admission into Anglia Ruskin University, passed the required assessments and secured admission on merit to pursue their Master’s degrees.
“It is wrong to suggest that because Professor Onuchukwu is now the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, his children should be denied the opportunity to further their education abroad. Every Nigerian citizen has the constitutional right to seek quality education anywhere in the world,” he said.
The NDYCN president maintained that many public office holders, academics and professionals have children studying both within and outside Nigeria, stressing that such personal family decisions should not be used to undermine an individual’s integrity or public service.
He urged critics of the Acting Vice-Chancellor to discontinue what he described as cheap blackmail and personal attacks, saying the institution would make greater progress if stakeholders channelled their energies towards supporting the university’s leadership.
Erharhine also appealed to members of the university community to rally behind the Acting Vice-Chancellor, expressing confidence that with the cooperation of staff, students and other stakeholders, Professor Onuchukwu would continue to provide purposeful leadership and strengthen the institution’s academic reputation.
He further called on the Rivers State Government and relevant authorities to consider confirming Professor Onuchukwu’s appointment as substantive Vice-Chancellor, citing what he described as his commitment, competence and vision for the development of the university.
The youth leader congratulated Miss Emmanuella Onuchukwu on graduating with distinction and wished her success in her future career, while urging Nigerians to celebrate academic excellence irrespective of where it is attained and to discourage narratives capable of discouraging educational advancement.
