Degrees For Sale

By Sam Adzegeh, Kaduna Bureau
Monday, October 25, 2004

Philip Onunkwo, 29, alleged to be the brain behind the award of fake honourary doctorate degrees in Kaduna and Kano arrested

A kingpin in a syndicate that specialises in conferring dubious honourary doctorate degrees on unsuspecting members of the public is currently being held by officers of the State Security Service, SSS, in Kano State.

Philip Onunkwo, 29, claims he is the northern liaison officer for the Institute of Human and Natural Resources which he said has its headquarters in Warri, Delta State. The institute, he told Newswatch in Kano Wednesday October 14, organises seminars, workshops and symposia on human resources development during which honourary doctorate degrees are also conferred on individuals whom the institute recognises as having distinguished themselves in their chosen careers.

Onunkwo successfully held one of such seminars in Kaduna Tuesday October 5. Among the recipients of the institute's honourary doctorate awards were four serving commissioners in the Kaduna State civil service, several politicians in the state as well as people from the educational sector. The total came to 19.

But, that success story did not last. Ahmed Makarfi, Kaduna State governor got wind of Onunkwo's activities and called the attention of security agencies.

According to reliable sources, the governor, seeing nothing so outstanding in the performance of the commissioners that were honoured with the awards became suspicious of the awards. He was said to have asked his aide-de-camp to quietly investigate. The ADC in turn notified the SSS. It did not take long before the farce was uncovered. Onunkwo, however, slipped out of Kaduna before he could be picked up.

On Tuesday, October 12, Onunkwo headed for Kano where he was scheduled to confer more honourary doctorate degrees on 30 more recipients on Wednesday, October 13. That day at 10 a.m. the banquet hall of the Central Hotel, Kano was filled to capacity by the would be recipients and hundreds of their supporters and well-wishers who turned up to witness their mentors become honourary doctorate degree holders. Among the recipients were four members of the Kano State House of Assembly, teachers, councilors and a few traditional chiefs. But shortly after 10 a.m, officers of the SSS sauntered into the hall and announced to the anxious crowd that the occasion had been called off. Unknown to the guests, the coordinator of the award had been arrested and was in detention at the Kano State headquarters of the SSS.

Newswatch gathered that Onunkwo was arrested Tuesday, October 12 when he drove into Kano from Kaduna in his newly acquired Honda "Halla". In his custody were several impressive looking academic gowns, pictures of previous award ceremonies featuring well-known figures in the socio-political arena of the country. There were also beautifully finished award plagues as well as letters written to recipients intimating them of their good fortune.

One of such letters, which is in possession of Newswatch, has the address of the "international office" of the institute as "7th Floor, Jupiter House; 14 Finsbury Square, London. Tel +447932645857." It was dated 6th September 2004 and titled, "Honourary Doctorate Award conferment.

"Written in very poor English, the letter stated that, "Following the agreement reached between" the institute and its affiliate, the Canadian University's and colleges Admission Board. At her 33rd Joint Quarter Summit to honour a number of individuals who have demonstrated great administrative skills in Nigeria.

"I am directed to inform you that your nomination, which was forwarded, has been approved. You have been conferred with a Honourary Doctorate award ph.d.h.c (Business Administration)."

It went on to state that with the conferment, the recipient can henceforth "append the designators of DR. before your name as the Award qualifies you as a Doctorate Degree Holder by Honour with all rights and privileges."

The letter also asked each participant to come along with a "completed form, your essay and two recent passport photographs.

The letter listed "some selected Doctorate Awardees at the just concluded IPC for the North" to include: Dr. Zainab Mkwaema (Principal) GGSS Kawo, Kaduna; Dr. Aminu M. Umar (Caretaker Chairman) Kaduna; Dr. Sani I. Togai (Secretary) Bosuwa LGA, Jigawa State; and Dr. Nasidi Danladi M. (Caretaker Chairman) Baure LGA. Katsina State. It ended with a subtle "Voluntary donations from appreciative awardees will also be appreciated."

The letter was signed by "Dr. E.C. Samuels FHNR.MNI, Director of planning and statistics, IHNR National Secretariat, Abuja.

At the foot of the institute's letter headed paper were listed several "Fellows" of the institute which included "Her Excellency S.L. Atiku Abubakar, Wife of the Vice-President and Chairperson ASPEB; Prof. Maiwada, Bayero Univeristy, Kano; Alh. Sabo Panda, executive secretary, Gabasawa LGA and Hon. Alh. Abdullaziz Usman, chief press secretary to the minister of agriculture."

Onunkwo told Newswatch Thursday October 14 that the institute is "a fully registered organisation." Contrary to what is contained on the institute's letterhead, he also told Newswatch that the institute's headquarters is in Warri, Delta State. The letter head however, lists Efurum, Delta State as its Niger Delta office".

Onunkwo said he was very remorseful about his involvement in the shady awards but insisted that they were not given out for financial gratification. He rather blamed it on the recipients who were desperate for titles. "We went into issuing the doctorate awards by virtue of certain requests from our members who think that, at the stage where they have found themselves today, are deserving of such honours".

Saidiq Dalhat, director of the SSS in Kaduna State, said Onunkwo was the sole proprietor and initiator of the institute which, he said, was neither affiliated to nor registered by the National Universities' Commission, NUC.

Dalhat disclosed that important personalities from Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River states had fallen victim to the young man.

At least 150 persons had each paid N10, 000 to Onunkwo to acquire honourary Doctorate degrees.

 

I regret this Certificate Business

 

Newswatch: Would you introduce yourself, sir?

Onunkwo: I am Philip Onunkwo, the Northern liaison officer for the Institute of Human and Natural resources.

 

Newswtach: Where is it based?

Onunkwo: The headquarters is in Warri, Delta State.

 

Newswatch: How did you find yourself in the hands of the security personnel?

Onounkwo: Two days ago I was coming from a conference in Kaduna and then I received a call from an individual who wanted to see me at Central Hotel, Kano, but at the end of the day it turned out to be a member of the state security. They told me that I had to follow them to their office for interrogation. So we came here to their office after which some information and items were collected from me. I was left to go. I was also told to come back here yesterday, the 13th of October. When I came here this morning … I was also supposed to have another programme at the central Hotel, Kano. They told me to come on time so that my case will be taken care of so I can go back and catch up with my programme, which they later cancelled. Because they sent some of their men to go to the venue and stop the programme. They said that a report came to them concerning an award that was to be conferred to members of the local governments in Kano here, and they are now asking of the authenticity of such awards. That is the issue at hand.

 

Newswatch: What exactly are the aims and objectives of your institute?

Onunkwo: The institute of Human and Natural Resources is a fully registered organisation here; it is legal. They do consultancy services, training, seminars, symposia and empowerment conferences.

Newswatch: What was the conference held in Kaduna last week all about?

Onunkwo: It was a self-empowerment conference designed to encourage and reposition individuals who might have, in their line of duty, excelled one way or the other in their line of specialisation. And at the same time, recognise them for hardwork and contributions to the society. We believe that when you recognise an individual, you give him that motivation to do something better when he is given another opportunity.

 

Newswatch: In what form does this recognition come?

Onunkwo: We carry out empowerment conferences and by the end of the day we confer some of them with the associate fellowship and membership award of the institute.

 

Newswatch: Do you also issue doctorate or other degrees?

Onunkwo: Well, in recent time, we went into that by virtue of certain requests from our members, who think that at the stage where they have found themselves today, are deserving of such honours.

 

Newswatch: So the institute feels that it has the authority to issue doctorate degrees…

Onunkwo: Like I stated clearly to the SSS, the institute does not have such a right. That is where the institute has deviated to some little degree from its line of duty.

 

Newswatch: So far, on how many people have you conferred these degrees and awards?

Onunkwo: I can't have the specific figures in my head for now.

 

Newswatch: When was the institute established?

Onunkwo: I am a staff of the institute and I started working with them about the year 2000.

Newswatch: In how many states have you been operating and holding these conferences?

Onunkwo: We have been holding seminars and conferences all over the country.

Newswatch: And giving these awards?

Onunkwo: Like I told you before, we hold conferences, symposia or workshops. Some other times we carry out award conferences. It is not as if all that we do is award conferences.

 

Newswatch: Which one were you supposed to have held in Kano yesterday?

Onunkwo: An award conference and also an empowerment forum.

 

Newswatch: Who were supposed to have received doctorate degrees yesterday in Kano. Can you remember one or two?

Onunkwo: No!

Newswatch: You are the resource person here in Kano…

Onunkwo: Yes…

 

Newswatch: Good. So…

Onunkwo: I wouldn't know their names but I know they are people from the local government sector, from the education sector and a few politicians.

 

Newswatch: Do the recipients pay for these awards?

Onunkwo: They do appreciate what we do because some of them write to us thanking us for the honour done to them. Some of them also give voluntary donations in appreciation of the honour done them.

 

Newswatch: Can you tell us a general range of how much they give in appreciation?

Onunkwo: Depending on one's pocket. Someone can give N50, N500, N1000, and N5000.

Newswach: What is the biggest amount you have received as appreciation for your institute?

Onunkwo: I can't remember that.

 

Newswach: I'm aware that certain payments are made when you write letters to them informing them of your institution's intention to honour them. Isn't there a certain fee they are supposed to pay?

Onunkwo: They are supposed to pay registration fee of about N10, 000 which covers logistics involve in putting such conference together. Anybody who is a consultant, who has an idea of organising seminars and training knows what is involved in putting those things into being.

 

Newswatch: How many people were you supposed to honour in Kano?

Onunkwo: From my own estimates… not just Kano but four states were merged together for yesterdays conference… may be about thirty people altogether.

 

Newswatch: Can you mention these states?

Onunkwo: Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Katsina.

 

Newswatch: Can you briefly tell us about yourself?

Onunkwo: I am Philip Onunkwo like I said before. I am a graduate of Bayero University Kano, an accountant by profession and I was born and brought up here in Kano. I think that's all I care to say for now.

 

Newswatch: Are the authorities at the headquarters of the institute aware that you are in the hands of the security personnel?

Onunkwo: Mmm… I don't know, but I don't think so because, this whole thing started yesterday and I have not been able to have any communication. But somehow, some of my members were here yesterday.

 

Newswatch: Is the institute affiliated to any university within or outside the country?

Onunkwo: We are not affiliated, but there are some with which we have had some correspondences in Uk and Canada. For affiliation, we are still working towards that.

Newswatch: Now that you are in the hands of security agents, what do you think about your involvement in the whole episode?

Onunkwo: Well, I feel remorseful about it, which I conveyed in the statement I wrote them. Like he (SSS official) told you, I was not arguing that fact. We have actually deviated to some degree, and I also told them to look into the matter with all critical objectivity, whatever punishment is to be given to me is to be temperedwith mercy, so that I can learn my lesson from it and move ahead with life, putting into consideration too, that the objective or the rationale of all of this, is not to defraud anybody, because no one has ever written that he paid some money and nothing was given to him or that it is a form of trick to obtain money per se.

Newswatch: So why did you go into it if not for money?

Onunkwo: Like I said before, the pressure came from our clients, though that is not a moral justification.