A 45-year-old man, Dr. Paul Onyebuchi Enyi, from Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, who holds a PhD in Mathematics, is currently working as a cleaner at Ebonyi State University—a situation that has drawn widespread condemnation from many residents who have expressed outrage over the unfortunate development.
In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Thursday, over the development, he acknowledged that he started working with Ebonyi State University as a cleaner in the year 2007 with SSCE and over the years, he got approval from the University to further his studies which gave him an avenue to study and have his first Degree, MSc and PhD in the year 2022.
He has been working as a cleaner till date.
According to him, he has presented his original certificates to the school management several times for conversion, but to no avail.
He called on the government of Ebonyi State and well meaning Nigerians to intervene and place him accordingly in the University to avoid his PhD certificate becoming a waste.
He narrated his ordeal thus: “I am Dr Enyi Paul Onyebuchi, I am a staff of Ebonyi State University. I was employed as a cleaner. I was still young when I was employed. I was employed as a cleaner because of the condition of things, but decided within me that I will not remain like this till I retire, which made me to further my education.
“We wrote an exam for conversion and they played a game with it. They said that some of us failed, but when some dignitaries intervened and asked them to provide the answer script, they refused to bring it out.
“They refused to give us our real marks, they played a political game. Up till now, there is nothing like conversion.
“There is respect and dignity attached to having a PhD, unfortunately, it looks as if I wasted the money I would have used for another thing.
“I got my PhD in 2022; I did my final defence on 3rd Nov. 2022. I am in the hands of God, whatever they want to do, let them do.
“If the government feels like placing me where I am supposed to be, it’s good.
“But if they refuse, I can’t kill myself. I will continue to hustle. My expectation from the government is to place me in a rightful place.
“I think it is high time they gave me what belongs to me. I am supposed to be a lecturer, not a cleaner.
“Even my Head of Department wrote, recommending me for conversion but on reaching the Vice Chancellor’s office, it was ignored.
“All my original certificates, including the PhD were attached and submitted, but it was a game of who knows who. I am just praying to God, it’s left for Him to do His own.”
When contacted for his reaction, the Public Relations officer of Ebonyi State University, Mr Patrick Itumo expressed surprise over the issue, saying that it had not been long the University concluded everything about conversion, and many people applied for it.
He urged him to write to the University Registrar or the Vice Chancellor to register his grievances, pledging to look into the matter.
“Well I don’t know about it, I am surprised to hear this. It has not been long since the university management concluded everything about conversion, and many people applied for it.
“I don’t know whether he applied for it. If he applied for it,I don’t know why he didn’t pass the exam.
“Let him write a letter to the Vice Chancellor or the Registrar indicating all these things and also come to our office, let’s know what actually is the issue,” he said.
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