NIS leadership crisis deepens with new appointment

The leadership crisis rocking the National Institute for Sports has further deepened as some members of the Academic Staff Union of the institution have kicked against the appointment of Dr. Eke Chukwudi as the new Director.

The NIS has yet to emerge from the controversy surrounding the exit of erstwhile Director, Dr. Sunny Ikhioya, who was accused of gross misconduct, and the plight of some senior staff lecturers, who have not been promoted for 12 years.

One of the lecturers disclosed to The PUNCH that the Governing Council of the institute was set on challenging Chukwudi’s appointment, which it considered as an imposition.

It was alleged that the appointment was made by the sports minister, Tamuno Danagogo, without due process of advertising the vacant position and interviewing the best candidates for the post.

Chukwudi, who was a lecturer at the Federal College of Education in Omoku, Rivers State, is believed to have studied Education Technology.

“The reputation of the NIS as the citadel of sports management in Nigeria is at stake if we allow unqualified personnel to head the institute,” the lecturer, who wants anonymity, said.

“This appointment reeks of impunity because due process of advertisement and interviews were not duly followed.

“We have more qualified people who are sports-inclined and more experienced to be the Director. For instance, Dr. Gloria Obajimi was acting in that capacity before Chukwudi was appointed.

“Why should the minister make this new appointment with just few days to the end of his tenure?

“The reputation of the NIS is in danger because the allegations levelled against Ikhioya have not been looked into by the appropriate authorities.

“Some of the senior lectures have remained stagnant without promotion for 12 years all because they believe and stand by the truth as enshrined in the law that established the institution.”