August 01, (THEWILL) – A socio-political group, the Cross River New Renaissance, has Decried the smear campaign directed against Dr Beatrice Igwe, a commissioner nominee in the state.
The group made their feelings known in a press release, made available in Calabar and jointly signed by Comrade Mike Agbor (Chairman), Comrade Essien Nyong Essien (Secretary) and Justus Okoh (PRO).
The group maintained the statements authored by some faceless groups in the state are are “not only puerile, but petty, especially as it is the handiwork of idle minds, scared of technocrats.”
They added that they lack knowledge of the workings of government and its institutions with regard to political appointments of this nature.
Setting the facts straight, the group said that “Dr Beatrice Igwe had issues with the former Governing Council Board Chairman, Dr Nkechi Nworgu, towards the tail-end of Council; this led to some misunderstanding between her and the Board and her subsequent suspension over irreconcilable differences;
“However, when the present board, led by Gen (Retd) Agwai, came in, they reviewed all allegations levelled against her and found her not culpable of any financial mismanagement or alleged misapplication of funds.
“Consequently, the board cleared her and reinstated her into office and restored all benefits and entitlements due her, and at the expiration of her tenure, which was fully served, a new Bursar was appointed to take over from her, the new Bursar has since resumed.
“Based on the above revelation which quashed the allegation of impropriety and on completion of her tenure, she was appointed as Director, Unical Liaison, with effect from March 2023, by the Vice Chancellor. One wonders if it was possible to appoint someone facing charges of graft in such a sensitive position?
“It was while serving there, still in UNICAL, that she was nominated as Commissioner Nominee.
“We can, therefore, state without fear of contradiction, that Dr Beatrice Igwe is NOT facing any EFCC probe or investigation, as being alleged by some disgruntled persons;
“That it was absolutely wrong for mischief makers to allege that the Vice Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi, had a hand in her ordeals with the former Board Chairman.
“That Mrs Igwe served the UNICAL Community diligently and professionally”, the group said.
They urged Cross Riverians and the Yala Community, both at home and in Diaspora to disregard such spurious statement and allegations intended to ridicule the reputation and integrity of Dr Mrs Igwe.
They also called on the State Assembly to go ahead and screen Dr Beatrice Igwe, and confirm her for appointment, as she has the zeal and capacity to serve the State.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
