News Editor
By David Odama
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the removal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami as the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the governing council of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo (FUHSO), Benue State.
According to a statement signed Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the decision followed Salami’s alleged “illegal actions, including suspending the Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures”.
The statement added: “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 governing council of FUHSO had during its emergency meeting on October 17, 2024, chaired by the Pro Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council, Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, appointed Prof. Ediga Agbo as acting Vice Chancellor, replacing suspended substantive VC, Prof. Innocent Ujah.
Although Prof. Ujah’s suspension stemmed from alleged gross misconduct and disregard for the council’s authority, a group under the auspices of Concerned Idoma Unity Forum challenged the suspension, citing non-adherence to the University Act’s guidelines for removing a substantive VC. The group emphasized that due process requires consultation with the Council, Senate and Minister of Education, as stipulated in Section 2AAA of the University Act (2003).
Relatedly, President Tinubu has also approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, the removal of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, the new Vice Chancellor, and Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike, the registrar, according to the Wednesday state house press release signed by Bayo.
The council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, included five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, and Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin”, the statement detailed.
The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process.
