Urging Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to defuse the escalating tension within the Benue State Polytechnic community, the Idoma Intellectual Forum, IIF, has recommended that he promptly appoint a substantive Rector for the school to quell the increasing animosity and distrust.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the National Secretary of IIF, Dr. Sunday Ochigbo, emphasized the necessity for immediate action to address the prevailing discord.
The group expressed support for Governor Alia’s commitment to revamp the educational sector in Benue State for enhanced efficiency and excellence.
They acknowledged the Governor’s decision to dismiss heads of state-owned higher institutions with the aim of bringing in more qualified individuals but raised concerns about the prolonged delay in filling the vacant Rector position at Benue State Polytechnic.
While acknowledging the swift appointment of leaders in other state-owned institutions, the group questioned the reasons behind the delay in appointing a new Rector for Benpoly.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the current management composition at Benpoly, the group criticized the dominance of Tiv individuals in key administrative roles, which they deemed contrary to the principles of fairness and diversity.
They disapproved of the displacement of an Idoma Rector and the subsequent appointment of a Tiv acting Rector by the Alia administration, considering it a continuation of the marginalization of the Idoma people in various sectors within Benue State.