DISSOLUTION OF UNIPORT GOVERNING COUNCIL: University Don Applauds Buhari, Education Minister

.... Commends President Buhari and the  Minister of Education for saving the University from a very cancerous and deadly cabal.

.... Describes the dissolved council as taking joy in arts of illegality.

"Breaking of any law is a criminal offence. If those behind the violating of the University Act, do not run away quickly, I can see their arraignment for violation and conspiring to violate the University Act".

An academic don in the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Honourable Minister of Education for the boldly rescuing the institution from the cabal that has, over the years, by the jugular.

Prof. Andrew Efemini, known for his blunt disposition and unflinching stance in ensuring sustainable and quality leadership in the education sector, has called on his colleagues to join him in appreciating the Federal Government for the timely dissolution of the Governing Council of the University of Port-Harcourt, River state.

Prof. Efemini, in a statement he personally signed, noted that, "since 2017, the Governing Council became illegal and illegitimate because six new members were introduced into the Council through deliberate violation of the University Act.

According to the academician, "the violation is about cutting short the tenure of Council membership. The law stipulates 4years tenure but Senate and Congregation were manipulated to reduce the tenure to 2years".

"Those who violated the law, tried to explain it away by saying it was Senate and Congregation that did it. Unfortunately for them, the law stipulates that no section of the law shall be amended or altered without the approval of the President who is the Visitor", he said.

"Let those who violated the law and their supporters show us the President's approval".

"In 2019, the Law was again violated through gangster voting of six persons from Senate and Congregation".

Efemini, respected for his outspokenness, knowledge and vast understanding of the educational systems and governance, stressed that, "unlike 2017 where dispute about how to elect Convocation representative stalled the process, in 2019, a deal was struck to send a representative from Convocation to the Governing Council without an election. This again, violates the Act which stipulates how elections should be conducted".

"The implication of 5 and 6 above is that, as at the time of dissolution of the Governing Council, not a single internal member had legitimacy", he said. 

"Just imagine the implications of illegal membership for the decisions of Council since 2017".

Prof. Efemini disclosed that the "Illegal Council was busy sacking, suspending and punishing staff and students and the same illegal Council were busy appropriating University funds for the Administration".

"The process of selecting the next Vice-Chancellor, exposed the actual motive behind the introduction of illegal members to Council", he revealed.

"Fortunately, justice has to come one way or another. There has to be a way of stopping the locomotive illegal engine of the illegal Council".

"People who should not be in Council, found themselves in the Selection Committee for the Vice-Chancellor", he stated.

Efemini stressed that, "this is where we must thank the Government for responding to the situation promptly. The dissolution of an illegal Council is not only just, it is a right move to restore order to the University".

"The rancorous communication from Governing Council to Government is bad enough", he opined. 

"It is a house divided between illegal and legal members of Council", he pointed out.  

Prof. Efemini warned that, "breaking of any law is a criminal offence. If those behind the violating of the University Act, do not run away quickly, I can see their arraignment for violation and conspiring to violate the University Act".

"If there is any doubt still in your mind raise it and let us look at it", he further advised.

Finally, he enjoined all to thank the Government for saving Uniport from a deadly CABAL.

Prof Andrew Efemini is a Lecturer in the Dept of Philosophy, University of Port Harcourt