From Archibong Esuene
The Governing Council of the Federal University of Health sciences, Otukpo has appointed Professor Ediga Agbo as the acting Vice Chancellor following the suspension of the substantive Vice Chancellor, Prof Innocent Ujah.
In the same vein, a group of Concerned Idoma Unity Forum has expressed surprise by the action of the Governing Council by not following the stipulated guidelines in the University Act on the removal of a substantive VC.
In a press statement by Mr James Onogwu, Coordinator, Information, Publication and Public Relations, of FUHSO for the Registrar said Prof. Ediga Agbo emerged acting Vice Chancellor of the University during the special meeting of the Governing Council held on the 17th October, 2024.
According to the press statement, the emergency meeting was headed by the Pro Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of FUHSO, Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami.
He further stated that the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council and Members, earlier during the meeting suspended the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Innocent Ujah, mni, , for alleged gross misconduct disregard to its authority.
Prof Agbo, the statement stated, is a Professor of Microbiology a native of Otukpo local government, Benue State. Prof Ediga Agbo has since assumed duty as the acting VC of FUHSO for a period of six months.
Also in another press statement by Concerned Idoma Unity Forum chairman Mr Agada Johnson said the suspension of pioneer Vice Chancellor orchestrated by the chairman of the governing council is not in the best interest of the University and Idoma nation as due process was not follow .
He explained that section 2AAA of the University Act passed by National Assembly in 2003 stipulated that the Vice Chancellor can be removed by the Visitor after due consultation with Council and Senate acting through the Minister of Education.
Speaking further on the process of removing a substantive Vice Chancellor, the VC can be removed on grounds of misconduct or inability to discharge the function of the office through a proposal of removal and a joint committee of Council and Senate shall be constituted with three members which according to them was not done in this case.
The Group while stating that Prof Agbo is qualified to be appointed as acting VC " but we are seeing a serious fault line which has to be corrected because an injustice done to one is an injustice done to all. Why was the VC suspended without giving opportunity to defend himself and was indeed dar away South Korea on a national delegation"
Mr Agada noted that downplaying laid down rules by the Council mitigates a deepening sense of disillusionment among stakeholders, and commended the pioneer VC for showing unwavering commitments in pioneering the fast growing Medical University in Idoma land from the foundation along with his management team.
