It is no more news that Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua has resigned from office as the Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
What is rather news is that more details are gliding into the public glare, as to what really led to his resignation, and how he executed it.
The resignation comes amid allegations that Effedua had attempted to manipulate and truncate the transition process of the institution to a university.
According to reports, Effedua had allegedly convinced the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, HE Adegboyega Oyetola, that the law setting up the University of Maritime Studies Oron (UMSO), was done in error, citing lack of proper consultation and public hearing.
To support his claim, Effedua had reportedly disregarded the rule of law and approved an advertisement for the sale of admission forms for ND and HND programmes for the 2024/2025 session, despite the institution’s transition to a university.
The advertisement for the sale of admission forms was published on the official website of the institute on August 3, 2024.
Again, payments were duly made for the advertised forms and the Rector further constituted a screening committee for the admissions, in spite of all the arrangements for take-off of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO).
However, this move did not go unchallenged as stakeholders from the host community stepped in, petitioning the Senate, the House of Representatives, Federal Ministry of Education and Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy.
They called for necessary steps to ensuring compliance with the Act of Parliament that established the University of Maritime Studies, Oron.
Similarly, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was informed of all the steps taken by the Federal Government to ensure the transition of the institution.
The Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola is said to have summoned Effedua, who reportedly became helpless, with nothing to hold onto, leaving him with no option aside resignation.
On Wednesday, November 13, Effedua submitted his resignation to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
WatchmanPost gathered that on Thursday, November 14, Duja Effedua reported to the institution, the Maritime Academy, to announce his resignation to the principal officers of the school.
Those at the meeting included Mr. Netson Peter M., Ag. Registrar; Capt. Etim Samuel Uwak, Ag. Director, School Of Nautical Studies; Engr. Ekwere Ekwere Williams, Ag. Director, School of Marine Engineering; Mr. Gabriel M. Eto, Ag. Director, School Of Maritime Transport Studies; and Mr. Ambi Anthony Anto, Ag. Bursar. Others in the meeting were: Mr. Dunya Thlawar, Coordinator Academic Affairs; Engr. Olukayode Olusegun Olaleye, Ag. Director, Work and Services; Dr. Udoh Felix Evans, Head, Research & Strategic Development, Dr. Kevin O. Okonna, Director, Specialized Seafarers Training Courses, among others.
During the meeting, which lasted less than 30 minutes, Effedua reportedly disclosed that while some people were fighting for the institution to remain a degree-awarding institution, some powerful persons were rooting for the Maritime University.
He advised the directors that many of them would also need to resign, as they were no longer qualified for the current university status of the institution.
WatchmanPost learnt that when asked why he was resigning even before the end of his tenure, Effedua said he was doing so on personal ground and for peace to reign.
