Host communities shut Akwa Poly over non-recognition of Community Liason Officer

Academic and economic activities at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, were disrupted on Tuesday as youths of the host communities staged a protest over alleged neglect and non-recognition of their Community Liaison Officer, CLO, Comrade Aniekere Sunday Udoma, by the Rector of the institution, Dr. Moses Umobong.

The protesters locked the school gates and blocked entry, preventing the rector, staff and students from accessing their offices and lecture halls.

They displayed placards with various inscriptions like “Rector Must Go,” “Umobong Respect Our Village Heads,” “Don’t Impose CLO on Us,” “Local Content Is Our Right,” “Where Is Our 2022 Quota for Employment?” and “Governor Umo Eno, Please Come to Our Aid”.

Leading the protest, a youth activist, Comrade Ekikere Simon Iko explained that the people of Ikot Osurua and Atan Ikot Okoro, who claim that the rector had been disrespecting their communities and undermining their rights, have written several letters to the rector since September 24, 2024, but received no response.

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He recalled that during a recent visit to their village heads, the rector had promised to respond to their concerns within one week but failed to do so.

Host communities shut Akwa Poly over non-recognition of Community Liason Officer

According to him, the main grievance is the rector’s decision to appoint a Polytechnic Liaison Officer instead of recognizing the Community Liaison Officer duly chosen by the host communities.

He stressed that the communities have maintained a peaceful and cordial relationship with the institution for over 34 years and only resorted to the protest to press home their demands.

Also speaking, Comrade Iniobong William Ikono, former Youth President of Ikot Osurua, presented copies of letters earlier sent to the rector whom he accused of sidelining the communities, slashing stipends for part-time workers from the host communities from N50,000 to N30,000, and failing to allocate admission slots to indigenes as previously practiced.

Comrade Onoitem Patrick Akpan, former Vice Youth President of Atan Ikot Okoro, also joined his voice to the protest, while the leaders collectively appealed to Governor Umo Eno to intervene, commending his ARISE Agenda and investments in education, particularly at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic.

The rector, Umobong addressed the protesters during which he assured of the recognition of Comrade Aniekere Sunday Udoma as CLO and promised to look into other demands raised.

Following the development, the protesting youths reopened the gates, restoring access to the institution.