Ho, Aug. 23, GNA - The "All Nigeria Community in the Volta Region" has dissociated itself from one Professor Ernest Duru and any activities he might be engaged in the Volta Region.
A statement issued by the community and signed by one Dr Gilbert Okechy, as Regional President and Reverend Rufus Igbogbo, as Regional Secretary indicated that its investigations into the activities of Professor Duru in the past two years showed that he was apprehended and detained at Aflao for a number of days "over some of his dubious and questionable characters".
The disclaimer, which was addressed to the Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council, said Professor Duru's activities had put "the Nigeria's name at stake here and some of our innocent citizens suffer". It was copied to the Nigeria High Commissioner, the Volta Regional Police Commander and the Ho Municipal Chief Executive among others. When reached by telephone, Professor Duru said he had no association with the said Nigeria Community in the Volta Region. "I have freedom of association, I am not a member of the association and have no business with them".
He said the disclaimer therefore "makes no sense to me". Asked why he thought the Community could take such a stand against him, Prof. Duru said "we have enemies of progress in every society". Pro. Duru said he remembered meeting somebody in town, who introduced himself to him as a Nigerian and a member of the above mentioned Nigeria Community and that the said community would like to attend the inauguration of his university scheduled for next month. Prof. Duru said he gave an invitation letter to that person, whose name he did not know.
He said the Community reserved the right to attend or not to attend the function and that in no way stops him from going ahead with the inauguration of the university.
Regarding his detention for a few days at Aflao, as alleged in the disclaimer, Prof. Duru said he did not know why he was detained. 23 Aug. 06
