The Coalition of Civil Societies on Human Rights and Anti Corruption in Nigeria has absolved the former principal of Queens College, Lagos, Dr. Lami Amodu, of any wrong doing, following a petition against her by the old girls association of the college’.
The coalition, in a letter to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, stated that contrary to several claims by the old girls in their petition against Mrs. Amodu, the former principal, during her time, ran a transparent system as well as improved the standard of the institution.
The letter which was jointly signed by Alhaji Sabo Ode and Comrade James Ezema, chief convener and director, Public Affairs respectively, stated that from their findings after its investigation, the coalition is convinced that the petition was done in bad faith and mischief.
He stated that over time, a cartel has been operating within the Alumni of the school who want to dictate to the management and whoever stood against them. He said the cartel has formed the habit of framing up individuals who stand against them. He cited a case of a male staff accused of unwholesome act with female students an allegation that was later proven to be false.
He stated that for the first time ever, a woman stood against them and they have now resorted to framing up Dr. Amodu by using petitions and the media to misinform the public to achieve their desired aim.
He said that, “there is more to the issues being raised and allegations being levelled against Dr Amodu. For instance, she was recently accused in a petition of buying an SUV for 17 million, an allegation we have also investigated and found to be false.
“The SUV, which was not for personal use was left in the school after her redeployment. Its purchase, we also found, went through due process and had board approval after the board decided it was very necessary because of the state of the old bus the school had, which was in a very bad condition.
“From our investigations we also found out facts on the allegation of 17 million naira on SUV, which is also not true as the findings of the investigation have proved contrary in which the purchase of the SUV went through due process and had board approval after the board decided it was very necessary because of the state of the old bus the school had which was in a bad condition and the Sport Utility Vehicle is still used at Queens College Lagos by the principal till date and not a private property of Dr. Mrs Lami Amodu.”
He said the witch hunt against Dr. Lami Amodu started when she refused to grant a request by the alumni to build a secretariat within the school premises.
On the allegations of the way the former Director/Principal of the College, Dr. (Mrs) Lami Amodu was alleged to have done over issues relating to the safety and well-being of preteen and teenage girls placed under her care, the coalition said from its findings, the death of Sodipo Praise, an Orphan who died on March 30, 2017 occurred nearly two months after Dr. Amodu had been transferred.
On her achievements, it stated that she took steps on assumption of duty to improve the over 89-year-old college and its facilities and ensured relevant government’s, ministry’s and agencies’ supports.
The letter reads , “she also carried along other stakeholders, including the private sector, which led to the constituted committee, which was set up to act as the “Think Tank” in the effort to identify critical areas of need, strategise and mobilize support for improving the overall well-being of students in the college.
“Our findings also showed that she briefed the Ministry of Education as well as the Office of the Head of the Service of the Federation, which led to a policy aimed at phased reduction of the student population, particularly at the in-take level. Specifically,then Permanent Secretary was briefed in December 2015 on the population and poor facilities.
“She went further to request for an Annex that will cater for the bloated student population and provide additional staff quarters that will accommodate more teachers, caterers, cooks, kitchen staff among others to improve on what she met on ground which she briefed the Head of service and the then permanent secretary of the federal ministry of education.”
The post CSOs wade into Queens College saga, absolves Ex-Principal of wrongdoing appeared first on Vanguard News.
No comments:
Post a Comment