The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Anambra State, has commended President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Permanent Secretary of Education, Mrs Rakiya Ilyasu, for their intervention in the university’s vice-chancellor selection process.
The Association, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Victor Modekwe, on Tuesday, said that the government’s intervention was a testament to the administration’s responsiveness and a significant step towards restoring confidence among academic community stakeholders.
The statement noted that it underscores the government’s commitment to upholding transparency and integrity in the nation’s educational institutions.
“This intervention is not only a testament to the administration’s responsiveness but also a significant step toward restoring confidence among stakeholders in the academic community, “the statement said.
Recall that following the appointment of Prof Bernard Odoh as the university’s VC, a memo allegedly from the ministry of Education has nullified Odoh’s selection.
The memo signed by Mrs R.G. Ilyasu on behalf of the permanent secretary of the ministry said the Minister of State for Education had on October 24 in a meeting with the governing council of the university agreed with the council that no appointments shall be made without reconciling with aggrieved parties in the university.
According to the letter, the appointment is a gross disregard to constituted authority and is not in line with extant provisions.
However, the university’s Office of the VC called on the public to disregard the ministry’s letter, asserting that due process had been thoroughly observed in Odoh’s appointment.