COE: Protest Rocks Mosogar Community Over Exclusion Of Indigenes From Appointments

Indigenes of Mosogar Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Tuesday morning protested against alleged marginalization of sons and daughters of the kingdom working in the College of Education, Mosogar, in the appointments of persons into key positions in the institution.

The placard carrying protesters who also set bonfire on the road, barricaded the gate of the College alleging that for the past 18 years of the establishment of the school, the unions and some non-indigenes have always worked against qualified indigenes of the kingdom from emerging substantive provost and occupying other principal positions in the college.

They cited the case of one Dr. Moses Omayuli, an indigene, who was invited for interview for provost of the institution, only for the Chairman of the College Governing Council, Hon. Lovette Idisi, to disqualify him based on a protest letter filed by the school union, on age ground.

They described the decision of the Council as an injustice to the host community of the college, and stated that Dr. Daniel D. Whawo and Prof. Emmanuel Ojeme, both who were appointed provost of the school were older than Dr. Moses Omayuli at the time of their appointment.

They therefore, appealed to the governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, to intervene in ensuring that for the first time a qualified indigene of the kingdom is appointed provost of the college.

They however commended the Governor of Delta State for good leadership across the state, describing as noble, the approval of the governor which changed the status of the school from Delta State College of Physical Education Mosogar, to College of Education Mosogar.

While acknowledging that the step has helped to redeem and rebrand the school, the protesting Mosogar indigenes said, they remain law abiding and peaceful people, but will not give any “enemies” the opportunity to work against their common good.

When contacted, the Chairman, Governing Council, College of Education Mosogar, Hon. Lovette Idisi who confirmed the protest, told Oasis Magazine that, the two indigenes from Mosogar that vied for the positions of provost and bursar were disqualified for being above 60 years; adding that the 2016 /2017 state government policy on the establishment of the college, stipulates that those appointed to the two positions must not be above 60 years as at the time of their appointments.

Hon. Idisi, who represented Ethiope Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019, disclosed that the six-man panel that screened those that applied for the position upheld the state government’s policy, adding that he personally wanted Omayuli to emerge but four persons in the panel were opposed to this.

He said, there is nothing the governing council of the college can do, except the policy is amended.

According to him, publications on online medium alleging that he worked against the community were false, stressing that Amori remains his political leader and he will always do what he can to protect his interest.

He called on the community to be peaceful and seek out ways to peacefully resolve the matter.