Prof. Manko, from the University of Jos, was appointed last week by President Bola Tinubu following the dismissal of former VC Professor Aisha Maikudi. The institution has also been renamed in honour of former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.).
Professor Lar Patricia Manko, the new acting Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly the University of Abuja), has begun her six-month term.
Prof. Manko, from the University of Jos, was appointed last week by President Bola Tinubu following the dismissal of former VC Professor Aisha Maikudi. The institution has also been renamed in honour of former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.).
SaharaReporters had reported that President Tinubu dissolved the University’s Governing Council, which was led by Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita.
Additionally, members of the University’s Senate had petitioned the president and Minister of Education, alleging that the Governing Council manipulated the Vice Chancellor appointment process to secure the appointment of Prof. Maikudi as the substantive Vice-Chancellor.
They claimed that the council breached the Federal Ministry of Education’s guidelines, which outline a four-step process for appointing a Vice Chancellor.
The petition, signed by 43 professors, listed several infractions, including the council’s failure to adhere to the prescribed steps.
In the petition, they argued that the appointment of Prof. Maikudi as the substantive Vice-Chancellor did not adhere to the guidelines, which mandate that a candidate must be a professor with at least 10 years of experience.
However, in a statement released on Thursday, President Tinubu removed Prof. Maikudi as the substantive Vice-Chancellor and dissolved the Council.
The statement, signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, announced that the president has appointed Prof. Manko as the acting Vice-Chancellor of Gowon University and Senator Lanre Tejuoso, former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, as the Pro-Chancellor.
The statement also noted that the changes were to take immediate effect. On Tuesday, Prof. Manko and Senator Lanre Tejuoso were welcomed with great enthusiasm as they assumed their duties.
In a video clip viewed by SaharaReporters on Tuesday, the university community enthusiastically welcomed the acting Vice Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor with drums, music, and vibrant celebrations.
Meanwhile, ahead of their resumption on Tuesday, all Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and Units were instructed on Monday to update and submit their handing over reports by the end of the day.
A memo to that effect titled: “Submission Of Handing Over Report,” was signed by Alkasim M. Umar, Deputy Registrar, Establishment for the acting Registrar.
“I am directed to inform all Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments and Units to update and submit their handing over reports for the taking over of the new Acting Vice-Chancellor before the close of work today, February 10, 2025,” the memo said.
“Please treat as important and most urgent.”
Meanwhile, some members of the University community have praised Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, a member of the dissolved Council, for his role in getting the attention of the authorities to the situation at the University.
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