By Uche Onyeali
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, Anambra State.
A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, yesterday, said Tinubu also approved the removal of Professor Bernard Odoh as Vice Chancellor and Mrs Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike as Registrar of the university.
The governing council led by Greg Mbadiwe, had Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr Amioleran Osahon and General Funsho Oyeneyin (rtd) as members.
The president’s decision followed a report that the governing council and officials illegally appointed an unqualified vice chancellor without following due process.
After the controversial appointment, the federal government stepped in to address tension between the university’s senate and the governing council of the 33-year-old institution.
Government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process.
In the same vein, President Tinubu also approved the removal of Engr Ohieku Muhammed Salami as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
The decision followed Salami’s illegal actions, including suspending the vice chancellor without following the prescribed procedures.
Despite the call by the Federal Ministry of Education for the unlawful suspension to be revoked, Engr Salami refused to comply, but resorted to abusive and threatening behaviour towards the ministry’s directors and the permanent secretary.
The federal government reiterated that the primary responsibility of governing councils is to ensure the smooth operation of universities in accordance with the act establishing each university.
The president warned the councils not to create distractions in their universities, as his government is focused on improving education standards.
