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•Pro-Chancellor University of Health Sciences, Otukpo
•Okays leadership swap at FUOYE, Lokoja varsities
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye and Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Presidency has said President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of Prof. Bernard Odoh and Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike, the new vice chancellor and registrar, respectively.
It also sacked the council led by Greg Mbadiwe, five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, and Amioleran Osahon, and Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin (retd).
According to a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process.
“After the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address tensions between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the 33-year-old institution.
“The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process”, the statement read.
Similarly, President Tinubu authorised the dismissal of Ohieku Salami as Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Federal University of Health Sciences’ governing council, Otukpo, Benue State.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa said the sack was due to actions “unbecoming of his office and violations of established procedures.’’
He said the decision followed a series of unprofessional actions by Salami, “including the suspension of the Vice-Chancellor, without following the prescribed procedures.”
According to the minister, despite intervention by the education ministry and formal requests to rescind the unlawful suspension, Salami refused to comply.
The minister said instead of complying with the request, Salami resorted to abusive and threatening behaviour towards the ministry’s directors, including the Permanent Secretary.
In a related development, the Federal Ministry of Education announced the reassignment of the Pro-Chancellors and Chairmen of the Governing Councils of the Federal Universities of Oye-Ekiti and Lokoja.
The swap involved Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba who was reassigned as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti while Kayode Ojo will assume the same role at the Federal University, Lokoja.
Boriowo Folasade, director, Press & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, explained that the decision was to enhance national cohesion and improve the governance of these institutions.
She said the decision was further informed by the findings that the current Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ojo, is an indigene of Ekiti State, hence it runs contrary to standard practice.
