Gbarnga, Bong County - For the first time since his ascendency as President of Cuttington University, Dr. Henrique Tokpa, on Saturday, April 12, 2012, publicly defended himself against looming public sentiments regarding the appointment of his kinsmen at Cuttington University.

Tokpa said no amount of public criticism can dissuade him from his current spree of empowering the natives at Cuttington. He said he would uphold the spirit of nativity at a University where the natives have been marginalized and deprived from holding key positions despite their competence.

“People say kpelle people stupid; Being a kpelle man with such a position in Bong County and not seeking the employment of my kinsmen who are as qualified compared to other tribes would be negatively interpreted,” Tokpa told the cheerful gathering comprising staffers of the University who he promoted since his ascendency as the University first indigenous President.

Continued Tokpa: “Some of those I have employed have graduated and become prominent individuals in the society.”

Tokpa said he was proud of adopting this posture the University so as to explore the expertise of the youths, who he says he regards as the “Bread Basket” of a county that is strategically located.

“It is about time we begin educating our children; with the dominance of the kpelle tribe in the country, educating a single kpelle man would mean educating the entire country, “he stressed.

Via the Tokpa scholarship foundation in Bong, Dr. Tokpa said he has managed to absorb over one hundred students who emerged as dux from various high schools every year at the Cuttington University as an avenue of promoting academic excellence among high school students in the county.

Tokpa’s Appointees not qualified- Says Marvin Cole, Political Advisor to Sen. Taylor

“One should only claim glory of something if his action reciprocates positively, “Cole told FrontPageAfrica in reaction to Tokpa’s appointments at the University which he alleged have translated into failure as the University undergoes financial drain.

He claimed most of Tokpa’s appointments have been done not on merits but rather his entrenched culture of endorsing gossips against employees who oppose his style of leadership.

“If you are not a character who conveys gossips at Cuttington you won’t survive,” Cole stressed.

In recent months, Tokpa’s appointment of James Dorbor Sao as the University’s Procurement Director, replacing Prince Moye who won as Representative of District #2, was greeted with mixed reaction from some employees of the institution.

Reports have it that Moye became furious over Sao’s appointment having opted for Jeff Lyeah, a former Ware House Manager of the institution as his replacement.

Others including the former Spokesman of the Movement for Progressive Change Menikpakeh Dumoe believe that Tokpa’s presidency has done more harm to the natives than good contrary to his professed glory of native empowerment at the University.

Dumoe believes lecturers at the institution who have reneged on complying to Tokpa’s style of leadership have either been relegated or maintained while his supporters enjoy lucrative appointments despite questionable credentials.

Tokpa’s recent relegation of Jeff Lyeah to Book Store manager appears to have complemented the argument advanced by Dumoe that his presidency is a curse for the natives.

‘Go-Slow’ Friday, April 11, 2012

Students of the Natural Science and Sociology Divisions at Cuttington University were stunned Friday, April 11, 2012, after lecturers staged a ‘Go-Slow’ in demand of salaries owed them by the University.

The lecturers, mainly Sierra Leoneans, told FrontPageAfrica their decision was the result of the University’s refusal to pay them since two months now.

“We did that to demonstrate our impatience and anger to the administration,” a Sierra Leonean lecturer, told FrontPageAfrica on condition of abnormity following a meeting with the administration during Friday evening following a broadcast by local media.

CU Administration could not confirm or deny the situation but a source within the system confirmed to FPA that the University was exerting necessary efforts to pay their instructors as a means of avoiding further escalation.

Sources further hinted this paper that the administration was recovering from its financial nightmare following the purchase of over seven used- vehicles which sources put at approximately US$100, 000.

It still remains unclear whether the instructors have resolved to return to classes or continue their action. Tug of War between CU Administration and Bong Legislative Caucus over Scholarship payment

There has also been an intense scramble for supremacy between some members of the Bong Legislative Caucus and the Administration of Cuttington University in recent weeks.

Students of Cuttington who are beneficiaries of the County Scholarship at the University have in recent weeks been disallowed from entering classes for what administration calls the failure of the County to settle their arrears. Sources within the administration claim that the county owes over US$300, 000 for two semesters with no hopes of payment.

But Senator Jewel Howard Taylor addressing scores of Bong County students last Friday described the action of the administration as ‘elementary and counterproductive’ to the educational quest of hundreds of students who are eager to achieve higher education.

Said Senator Taylor: “CU Administration is acting unjust; we've not a semester refused to pay Cuttington her arrears- her action doesn’t mean well for our county.”

“Then what would administration do if the money is paid by the Caucus after these actions on the students by Cuttington?” asked Senator Taylor

Senator Taylor, who is Bong County’s Representative on Ways, Means, Finance and the Budget said she would take a different approach if Cuttington refuses to reduce its tuition to afford the locals have access to education.

“Subsidies are provided to effect changes; since the increment from US$900.000 to US$1.1 Million-credit still static at 35,” She stressed.