Intersociety Applauds Attah’s UNIZIK Appointment, Rejects Kukah’s COOU Role, Faults Campus Renaming

Our Reporter 

Onitsha, April 28, 2026 — The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has commended the appointment of rights activist, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah, as Director of Information and Public Relations at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, while expressing strong opposition to recent developments at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University.

In a statement issued Tuesday in Onitsha, the group described Attah’s appointment, ratified by the UNIZIK Governing Council on April 17, as a “well-deserved recognition” of his longstanding contributions to grassroots human rights advocacy and public communication.

The organisation highlighted Attah’s background as a former trader-turned-activist who rose through the ranks of civil society, earning academic qualifications in Political Science and building a reputation as a writer and campaigner. 

Intersociety said his emergence reflects the growing influence of grassroots actors in Nigeria’s human rights and media landscape.

Mixed Reactions to COOU Developments:

While praising Attah’s elevation, Intersociety took issue with key decisions linked to COOU, particularly the appointment of Matthew Hassan Kukah as Chancellor of the university.

The group rejected the move, citing concerns over what it described as the cleric’s insufficient advocacy on issues affecting Christians in Nigeria.

It also criticised the renaming of the university’s Uli campus after former Anambra State governor, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, arguing that the institution, already named after Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, should not undergo further rebranding at campus level. 

The group maintained that such actions could undermine the legacy attached to the university’s current name.

Commendation for First-Class Graduates’ Employment:

Intersociety, however, lauded Anambra State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for approving automatic employment for 37 first-class graduates of COOU.

The group described the initiative as a positive step toward rewarding academic excellence but urged the state government to ensure the employment is permanent and aligned with established civil service rules, rather than temporary or politically motivated.

Call for Institutional Integrity:

The organisation concluded by urging authorities to uphold institutional integrity in decision-making processes affecting higher education in the state, while encouraging Attah to use his new role to promote professionalism and uphold democratic values in public communication.

The statement was jointly signed by Intersociety officials, including its Board Chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, alongside heads of its legal and advocacy departments.