Concerned Citizens of Bonny Kingdom, a socio-political pressure group based in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State has raised alarm over attempts to shut out indigenes of the area from being appointed as Rector for the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny.

Chairman of the group, Victor Ibaningo came out with this on Saturday, July 13, 2024 during a press briefing in Bonny, Rivers State.

He was accompanied by the Student Representative of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Ibani Clan and Secretary, Concerned Citizens of Bonny Kingdom, Idamieibi Hart, during the briefing.

He accused the Federal Ministry of Education of interference in the process of screening and appointing a new Rector for the institution which has been without a chief executive for almost three years now.

“Our attention has been drawn to the recent interference from the Federal Ministry of Education, where individuals are trying to do the opposite of the Renewed Hope Agenda by trying to convince the board to continue with a process that is faulty.”

“It is on this note, we are appealing to the new board members to start a fresh process for a substantive Rector as the process done by the old board is faulty based on the fact that some of the applicants are retired and some dead thereby leaving the selection process based on availability, whereas we have more qualified individuals the board can nominate from.”   

“In conclusion, the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny deserves the best as such the application should be made open to show fairness and equity.”  

He used the opportunity to thank President Bola Tinubu for appointing George Sekibo, a former senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, as Chairman of the board of the Polytechnic.  

“Firstly, we want to thank Mr. President, H.E. Ahmed Bola Tinubu for appointing Senator George Thompson Sekibo as the board Chairman of Bonny oil and gas Polytechnic.”

“The appointment is timely as he is among the very few that has the wealth of experience in institutions and understanding of matters within the Niger Delta region.”   

He also congratulated Sekibo on his appointment, expressing confidence in his capacity to discharge his duties creditably in fairness and equity.

“Let me also use this very medium to congratulate our father, Sen George Thompson Sekibo on his recent appointment, we have faith in him as he will discharge his duties with fairness and equity.”

The Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny has been without a substantive Rector since the tenure of the erstwhile Rector, Professor Tamunoimim Abbey.