The University of Calabar Alumni Association has come to the defence of an alumnus of the institution and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Agim over the controversy about his participation in the 37th Convocation ceremony and 50th Anniversary celebration of the institution.
In a press release signed by its national president, Paul O. Eshiemomoh, and national PRO, Sir Augustine I. Ukandu, the Association said there is nothing untoward about Justice Agim sitting close to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike at the ceremony.
The Alumni also stated that Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero is the Chancellor of the institution and his participation in the ceremony is statutory.
According to the Alumni, “For those reading unholy meaning to the Hon. Justice (Dr.) Emmanuel Akomaye sitting next to Barr. Wike at the convocation and the presence of His Royal Highness Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero at the convocation; we want to state as eyewitnesses at the convocation that the sitting arrangement was based on the protocol list.
“The awardees were arranged to sit together in the order in which their names appeared in the program.
“Secondly, for the uninformed, Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero is and has been the Chancellor of the University of Calabar on the appointment of the Federal Government.
“His presence there was statutory. As stakeholders in the University of Calabar, we firmly state that our alma mater has done no wrong in recognizing any Nigerian it considers as deserving of an Award.
“The University and the Alumni do not judge anyone. We will stop by saying “let he who is not a sinner cast the first or continue to cast the last stone,” it said.
The Alumni also emphasized that Justice Agim is a great malabite who deserves, by every standard, to be given countless honours by the University of Calabar.
This, the Alumni said, is because the Supreme Court justice has made the Alumni and the University proud and placed the institution on a global map.
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