President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State.
The decision also includes the removal of Prof. Bernard Odoh as Vice Chancellor and Mrs. Rosemary Nwokike as Registrar.
The now-dissolved council was led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, with members Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Retired General Funsho Oyeneyin.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The statement said: “The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process.”
It further explained that 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.
In the same vein, President Tinubu also approved the removal of Engr. Ohieku Salami as the pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of the Federal University of Health Sciences in 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, Salami refused to comply. Instead, he resorted to abusive and threatening behaviour towards the ministry’s directors including the permanent secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary responsibility of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of university activities in accordance with the act establishing each university.
Tinubu warned the councils not to create distractions in their universities as his government is focused on improving the country’s education standards.
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