Education
FUOYE blames student’s death on SSANU strike
The Federal University, Oye Ekiti, has blamed the death of a student of the institution, who was asthmatic, on Tuesday morning on the “insensitivity” of the striking members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, which led to the closure of the institution’s clinic.
FUOYE Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, accused SSANU of feeding its national leadership with lies about the university, which allegedly led the national leadership to direct the union in institutions in Ondo, Osun, and Kwara states to proceed to the university on Monday.
Fasina, represented by the university management team led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Tajudeen Opoola, said that due to misinformation by the FUOYE SSANU chairman, Oluwaseun Faleye, he was under attack, the institution was invaded on Monday by hoodlums and shut down.
The VC said, “We lost a student this morning in FUOYE who had asthma because he could not be taken to our clinic because the facility is under lock and key. It is true that students are on holiday, but not all of them are living on campus. It would have been easier for the student to be rushed to our clinic for urgent treatment, but our university gate is locked.
Fasina noted that the Administrative Block of the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, was open, with people going about their activities and the EKSU clinic functioning on Tuesday morning, wondering why EKSU SSANU allegedly incited hoodlums to invade FUOYE.
He said, “Total or comprehensive strike is not going on in EKSU. But the same leadership of EKSU SSANU went on air yesterday (Monday) to incite the public and even led some hoodlums to invade our school based on a false narrative he was fed by chairman FUOYE SSANU.
“Our chairman was the one who gave false information to the National President (of SSANU). Since he gave the impression that he had been beaten and harassed. The National President allegedly directed that the leadership of their union in Ondo, Osun, and Kwara should proceed to FUOYE to rescue the chairman. It is that impunity that the EKSU chairperson used. But we hope he won’t misuse the immunity.”
Fasina said the law would deal with the situation appropriately, stating, “The university is not going to fold arms and allow anybody in whatever name or allow any union to come and occupy our place. We have a way of dealing with such. This is Nigeria, and nobody is above the law.”
The VC noted that the SSANU chairman was “never harassed or threatened by any security operative,” adding, “The university is committed to the continual maintenance of peace and security on our campuses.”
But the SSANU chairman, Faleye, said the union duly notified the university of the seven days’ warning strike, querying, “Is FUOYE the only federal university observing the seven days warning strike? There are many schools that are under lock and key.”
Reacting to the allegation that the SSANU strike was responsible for the student’s death, Faleye said, “Before now, there was a notice of strike. I have a memo that the university issued prior to the notice that we will be embarking on seven days’ warning strike that directed the students to vacate the hostels to avoid something of such.”
He denied the allegation that EKSU SSANU incited or led hoodlums to invade FUOYE, challenging the management to produce such evidence, alleging that rather, it was the university management that laid ambush for the SSANU monitoring team.
He said, “I think you are aware of the national directive of our union for all the branches to embark on a seven days’ strike starting from March 18. Even before now, we have evidence of our correspondence with the management notifying them of the strike.
“They felt they could impose concessions on us that we must give concessions and not follow the national directive. On Friday they invited us to a meeting asking us to give concessions. We told them no.
“They sent a written letter soliciting concessions to exempt the health centre, and register others, but the circular from the national leadership of our union warned against granting such concession. We had privileged information that the Vice-Chancellor was trying to use security to intimidate us.
“Between Wednesday and Friday last week, the DSS Director, and the Commissioner of Police invited us and we feel that this kind of intimidation is a national strike. Why would they invite us when it is a national strike? We felt we were not safe.
“On getting to the school gate we met armed Civil Defence officers. I was assaulted; it is the management that is using the security agencies to intimidate us.”
The federal government has reinstated Joseph Ikechebelu as the acting vice-chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra state.
Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, permanent secretary at the federal ministry of education, announced Ikechebelu’s reinstatement in a letter issued on Thursday.
“Sequel to the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, vide letter Ref: PRES/84/EDU/10 dated 18th November, 2024 nullifying the appointment of Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 7th substantive vice chancellor of the university who was illegally appointed by the dissolved 10th Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, I am pleased to convey the approval of the Honourable Minister to reinstate you as the acting vice chancellor of the university with immediate effect,” the letter reads.
“Consequently, you are directed to take charge of the administration of the university.”
The letter directed Ikechebelu to oversee the university’s administration and refer matters requiring council approval to the education minister until a new governing council is established.
The federal government also reinstated Victor Modebelu as the university’s acting registrar.
Modebelu had previously served in the role before being replaced by Rosemary Nwokike, whose appointment was terminated on Wednesday.
BACKGROUND
In June 2024, Ikechebelu was appointed acting vice-chancellor of the 33-year-old institution.
However, in July, the university’s 10th governing council controversially replaced him with Bernard Odoh.
The council, chaired by Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, was accused of bypassing proper procedures to appoint Odoh.
TINUBU DISSOLVES GOVERNING COUNCIL
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu dissolved the university’s governing council over allegations of illegal appointments.
The council members removed include Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Amioleran Osahon, and Funsho Oyeneyin.
Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said the government intervened after reports of illegal practices by the council.
“The government stepped in following reports that the council illegally appointed a vice-chancellor, bypassing established guidelines,” Onanuga said.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate swap of the pro-chancellors and chairmen of the governing councils for the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), and Federal University, Lokoja.
In the reshuffling, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), who currently serves as the pro-chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, will take over at FUOYE.
A statement on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Kayode Ojo, who previously held a similar position at FUOYE, will now assume the role at Lokoja.
“This strategic change is part of President Tinubu’s initiative to foster diversity and national cohesion in the management of the country’s universities,” the statement added.
Earlier, the president dissolved the governing board of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra state, over the appointment of an “unqualified VC”.
Tinubu also approved the removal of Bernard Odoh, the new vice chancellor, and Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike, the registrar.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the governing council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra state.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu also approved the removal of Bernard Odoh, the new vice chancellor, and Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike, the registrar.
The council, led by Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, included five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Amioleran Osahon, and 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,” the statement reads.
“After the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address tensions between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the 23-year-old institution.
“The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process.”
In another development, Tinubu also approved the removal of Ohieku Muhammed Salami as pro-chancellor and chair of the governing council of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue state.
“This decision followed Salami’s illegal actions, including suspending the Vice-Chancellor without following proper procedures,” the statement adds.
“Despite a call from the Federal Ministry of Education to revoke the suspension, Salami refused to comply.
“Instead, he allegedly resorted to abusive and threatening behaviour toward the Ministry’s Directors, including the Permanent Secretary.”
He said the primary responsibility of university councils is to ensure the smooth running of university activities in line with the laws that establish them.
The president warned university councils not to create distractions as his government works to improve the country’s education system.
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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.
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