Former Acting Provost Denies Dual Leadership Claims at Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu
Dr. Nwawuisi Jonah Umunnah, the immediate past Acting Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu (FCAI), has firmly refuted media insinuations that the institution currently has two provosts. In a statement made on Wednesday, he described these claims as false and misleading, emphasizing that there is only one provost in office.
Clarifying the Handover and Leadership Transition
Speaking to journalists in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following the handing-over ceremony to the new Provost, Dr. Nwawuisi explained that he decided to address the rumors to avoid any confusion. "You can see now that the insinuations are false. We don’t have two provosts but one in the person of Prof. Agwu Ekwe, and he took over from me on Tuesday," he stated. He urged the public to disregard what he termed as troublemaking efforts by certain elements aiming to incite crisis within the school.
Dr. Nwawuisi detailed the timeline of appointments, noting that he was appointed Acting Provost last year, while Prof. Ekwe was appointed as the substantive Provost on the 10th of this month. "Now he has taken over from me, so there is no problem in the school. You can see he was received by both staff and students," he added, highlighting the smooth transition and acceptance by the college community.
Addressing Protests and Ensuring Stability
The controversy stemmed from a protest by the Joint Union Action of the college, which had rejected Prof. Ekwe's appointment by the federal government. Dr. Nwawuisi dismissed this as the work of insignificant elements seeking to cause chaos, but expressed relief that security agents had managed the situation effectively. He served as Acting Provost for approximately seven months and three weeks before the new Provost's appointment, during which he tackled various institutional challenges.
"I did all that is humanly possible in tackling the several problems of the institution and cannot do magic to accomplish what a five-year tenure could achieve," he remarked, acknowledging the limitations of his brief tenure. He advised Prof. Ekwe to hit the ground running, expressing confidence that the new Provost's vast experience would restore the institution to its former glory.
Achievements During the Acting Tenure
During his time as Acting Provost, Dr. Nwawuisi implemented several key projects and renovations, including:
- Repairing a welfare bus that had been grounded for years, providing free transportation for staff.
- Fixing tractors with lawn mowers and machine cutters to enhance agricultural operations.
- Renovating the Provost administrative block and car park.
- Installing solar panels to reactivate solar lights at the College Provost Lodge.
- Cleaning and pruning the college's oil palm plantations to facilitate harvests.
- Ensuring consistent lighting in offices and staff quarters, both day and night.
- Restoring functionality to nearly all college vehicles.
- Improving student welfare and advancing staff promotion matters.
He noted that funding constraints were the primary obstacle to achieving more, such as providing constant electricity and executing additional plans for the college.
Recognition and Background of Dr. Nwawuisi
In his welcome speech, the new Provost, Prof. Agwu Ekwe, praised Dr. Nwawuisi for his honest and transparent dedication, describing him as a humble man full of wisdom and fear of God. Prof. Ekwe pledged to collaborate with him moving forward.
Dr. Nwawuisi has a long history of service at FCAI, having held multiple roles including:
- Head of Department for three terms.
- Dean of School.
- Deputy Provost before becoming Acting Provost/CEO.
He also served on the Internal Management Committee of the College (IMCC) for several years and headed various college committees. Prior to his administrative roles, he worked as a researcher and scientist at the National Root Crop Research Institute in Umudike and its Kuru Jos outstation as a Plant Pathologist, supervising numerous research works and publications.
