Allegations Against Beatrice Igwe: Handiwork Of Paranoid Renegades Scared Of Her Technocratic Pedigree - Group Alleges
By Ogbu KOSY
A group known as Cross River New Renaissance has described allegations against Dr. Beatrice Igwe amid her nomination for possible appointment as Commissioner under the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration as puerile, petty and handiwork of paranoid and narrow-minded forces who are scared of her technocratic pedigree.
In a rebuttal issued on Monday and jointly signed by the group's Chairman, Comrade Mike Agbor, Secretary, Comrade Essien Nyong Essien, and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Justus Okoh, said statements by an amorphous group against the former Bursar of the University of Calabar (Dr. Beatrice Igwe) are merely targeted at debasing her unblemished personality and steer a malaise of cynicism and despair over technocrat's nomination and potential appointment as Commissioner in the present administration.
Highlighting the gullibility of the mischief group, the Cross River New Renaissance averred: "The statement by the faceless group even threatened a protest, an indication that perhaps they lack knowledge of the workings of government and its institutions with regard to political appointments of this nature.
"For us, it is very glaring that the faceless group is scared of Dr. Beatrice Igwe's meteoric record in public and community service.
"Fact sheet below portrays the level of ignorance by the faceless elements because Madam Beatrice Igwe was not indicted as being speculated."
Setting the records straight, the rebuttal informed that the Commissioner nominee, during her stint as UNICAL's Bursar, only had had issues with the former Governing Council Board Chairman, Dr. Nkechi Nworgu, towards the tail end of Council; which led to some misunderstanding between her and the Board and her subsequent suspension over irreconcilable differences, which, however, was later reviewed by the present board led by Gen (Retd) Agwai, upon assumption, and found her not culpable of any financial mismanagement or alleged misapplication of funds, consequently, reinstating her into office and restored all benefits and entitlements due her; a position she held until the expiration of her tenure.
The group noted that after quashing allegations of impropriety, and on completion of her tenure, she was later appointed as Director Unical Liaison on March 2023 by the Vice Chancellor, wonders "if it was possible to appoint someone who is facing charges of graft to such a sensitive position!"
Maintaining its stand that Mrs. Igwe served the UNICAL Community diligently and professionally, the Cross River New Renaissance group further stated that" "We can, therefore, state without fear of contradiction, that Dr. Beatrice Igwe is not facing any probe or investigation by any anti-graft agency as being alleged by some disgruntled persons.
"It was absolutely wrong for mischief makers to allege that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, had a hand in her ordeals with the former Board Chairman."
The group urged Cross Riverians and the Yala Community both at home and in Diaspora to disregard such spurious statement and allegations intended to ridicule the reputation and integrity of Dr. Mrs Igwe, whom, they said, has worked hard and contributed immensely to the growth of the society and her community.
It called on the State Assembly to proceed with screening Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Igwe, and confirm her for appointment, saying that she has the zeal and capacity to serve the State.
