The former students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State, have cried out over the failure of the state-owned school to issue certificates to them about 10 years after completing their studies.
Formerly known as Anambra State University, COOU is located in Uli town.
Some of the ex-students, who said they finished from the institution in 2012, said the school’s failure to give them certificates has caused them a lot of pain and also made them miss out on many offers in their quest for career advancement.
“Graduates of Chukwu Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, as far back as 2011/2012 are unable to collect their certificates due to a deficient, corrupt and inadequate system,” an ex-student of the school said.
“Hundreds of COOU alumni are at the mercy of the present Vice-Chancellor, Prof Greg Nwakobi who is adamant and has refused to sign off certificates to qualified graduates, thereby leaving them stranded and restraining them from future pursuit.
“This abnormality has caused a lot of inconveniences and agony to young men and women who are trapped in between an ineffective system and a stiff-necked vice-chancellor.
“Our careers in our respective workplaces have been affected, despite completing the required payment, efforts to get our certificates have proved abortive.
“The management of the university has been holding our certificates for years and causing untold hardship to us,” another former student said.
“We have missed out on many opportunities; we can’t even apply to further our education in foreign universities.”
When contacted, Chris Obi, Registrar of the institution asked the affected students to visit his office.
“Anybody that has a problem should come to the office of the registrar, and we will resolve it. There are a lot of things involved,” he told SaharaReporters.