The Alumni Association of the Federal University of Technology Owerri says appointing communications minister Isa Patani as a FUTO professor is dodgy.

This is contained in a statement co-signed by Kingsley Azuaru, national secretary and Ndubuisi Chijioke, national president of the association.

The association said the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was right in advising FUTO management to reconsider the appointment.

“FUTO Alumni Association reaffirms her position that the professorship of Pantami was inappropriate. FUTO Alumni Association appreciates the national body of ASUU and the local chapter for jointly condemning the appointment of Pantami as (a) professor in FUTO,” it explained. “NEC also considered the unresolved issue of the appointment of Dr Isa Pantami as a professor at our alma mater and has taken note of the National ASUU position.”

The statement added, “The national secretary, therefore, reaffirmed FUTO alumni association’s position that Pantami’s appointment was inexplicable and questionable.”

The association also mentioned that it was unfortunate that a group known as ‘Alumni Elders’ planned to host FUTO’s management to dinner to declare support for the dodgy award.

“It is deception for FUTO Alumni Elders to deceive the public that the so-called reunion is being organised in conjunction with FUTO Alumni Association. FUTO Alumni Association is not involved in whatsoever manner with the scheduled dinner by the group called FUTO Alumni Elders,” it declared. “NEC considers the use of the association’s name in the promotion of this event without its consent a grievous infringement and subversive of the alumni leadership.”

It said the alumni’s national executive council had not committed any funds or authorised the university to avail or expend any funds on the event from the alumni funds.

“In conclusion on the subject issue, NEC wishes to dissociate FUTO Alumni Association and her members from this event. And all Chapter executives have been mandated to communicate this position immediately to their members,” it explained.

Meanwhile, many scholars have condemned the award of professorship to Mr Pantami. The national leadership of ASUU advised FUTO to reverse the appointment of Mr Pantami as a professor because it was fraudulent.

However, FUTO management insisted that Mr Pantami’s appointment followed due process.

(NAN)