Tinubu Dissolves UNIZIK Council, Sacks VC
…Removes Pro-chancellor Health Sciences Varsit Otukpo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, with immediate effect.
The president also approved the removal the Vice Chancellor and Registrar, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh and Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike, respectively.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy said members of the sacked governing council are Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and retired Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
“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 further said President Tinubu has removed Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the governing council of 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 Federal Ministry of Education’s call for the unlawful suspension to be revoked, Engr. Salami refused to comply. Instead, he resorted to abusive and threatening behaviour towards the Ministry’s Directors, including the Permanent Secretary,” the statement added.
The president that the primary responsibility of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of university activities in accordance with the act establishing each university.
“President Tinubu warned the councils not to create distractions in their universities as his government is focused on improving the country’s education standards,” it added.
