NUV Slams Ijaw Voice Over False Allegations Against FUPRE VC, Demands Apology in 72 Hours

By Wilson Macaulay

The National Urhobo Vanguard (NUV) Apex Body has issued a stern warning to Ijaw Voice Newspaper, demanding a public apology within 72 hours for what it described as a deliberate and malicious publication targeting the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Professor Ezekiel Agbalagba. The group warned that failure to retract the report and apologize in three national dailies would result in immediate legal action.The demand was made in a strongly worded statement issued in Effurun, Delta State, and signed by Hon. Bamwa Austine, Chairman of the NUV Apex Body, and Chief Daniel Umukoro  a member of the executive committee.“We demand an unreserved apology within 72 hours. If Ijaw Voice Newspaper fails to comply, we will not hesitate to take the route of the law,” said Hon. Austine.The NUV described the publication as an orchestrated attempt to blackmail and discredit the newly appointed Vice Chancellor, who they say is already delivering on much-needed reforms at the institution.In addition to condemning the newspaper, the group also denounced the recent protest actions by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), labeling their activities as illegal and unauthorized under FUPRE’s establishment law.“FUPRE is not an oil company. It is an academic institution under the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission—not the Ministry of Petroleum Resources,” said Chief Umukoro. “These unions have no legal business operating within the university environment.”The NUV backed its stance with legal precedent. It cited a 2021 judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, which dismissed a suit by PENGASSAN (Suit No. NICN/ABJ/319/2021) seeking to be recognized as a union within FUPRE. Presiding Judge Justice B.B. Kanyip, Ph.D., ruled that FUPRE, as an educational institution, is not subject to petroleum-sector unionism.Further reinforcing this position, the FUPRE Governing Council, at its 59th Regular Meeting on October 25, 2024, formally banned all union activities by PENGASSAN and NUPENG on campus. The decision, communicated in a letter signed by Registrar Dr. (Mrs.) Jane Omoyine, aligned with the court’s ruling.Despite this, the NUV alleged that certain elements within and outside the university have been working to force these unions into the institution, using misinformation and external pressure to stir unrest and undermine the new Vice Chancellor’s authority.According to the group, the true trigger of the current tension is the recent release of academic allowances by the Federal Government. Professor Agbalagba, the NUV said, insisted on disbursing the funds transparently and strictly by law, a move that angered those seeking to manipulate the process for personal gain.“The Vice Chancellor refused to cut corners, and that is why this smear campaign began. It is pure blackmail by people who are threatened by his integrity,” said Hon. Austine.The publication by Ijaw Voice, which allegedly accused Professor Agbalagba of being unqualified for his position, was dismissed by the NUV as baseless and defamatory.“Professor Agbalagba is a well-qualified academic, a man of integrity, and a visionary leader. He is exactly what FUPRE needs at this crucial time,” added Chief Umukoro .The group accused NUPENG and PENGASSAN of misleading their national leaderships into supporting unlawful picketing and warned that such actions risk disrupting the university’s academic calendar and threatening its hard-earned reputation.“We will not fold our arms while a few desperate individuals try to destabilize one of the most important institutions in Delta Central,” the group stated.As a socio-cultural watchdog committed to transparency and institutional development in the Urhobo nation, the NUV pledged its full support for Professor Agbalagba’s leadership and warned external actors to steer clear of FUPRE’s internal affairs.“FUPRE is not a battleground for illegal unionism. We stand with the law, and we stand with the truth,” the NUV emphasized.The group concluded with a final ultimatum, giving Ijaw Voice Newspaper 72 hours to publish a public apology in three national newspapers or face immediate legal action.