In a telephone interview, a professor of African politics at the University of Texas stated that the signatures on the degree document are in original black ink, and the motto of the university is `For Enlightenment and Self Reliance,' which is printed in black ink and placed under the university logo (Ibid.). The same source stated that the name of the university, the recipient and the degree are printed in black ink. The document contains a paper seal that is embossed (Ibid.).

It may be of interest to note that the source at the University of Texas was, between 1986 and 1990, senior lecturer and head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Port Harcourt (5 Oct. 1993). He was also chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (University of Port Harcourt branch), patron to the Students Union Government, president of the Faculty Club and member of the University Senate (Ibid.).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Professor of African politics, University of Texas, Houston. 5 October 1993. Telephone interview.