For disregarding the directives from the Ministry of Education and contributing to the lingering crises in Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO); President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, approved the removal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami as the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the governing Council of University, located in Otukpo, Benue State.
According to a State House press release signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, the decision followed Salami’s illegal actions, including suspending the Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures.
“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 Federal Government reiterated that the primary responsibility of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of university activities in accordance with the act establishing each university”, the statement said.
President Tinubu also warned the councils not to create distractions in their universities as his government is focused on improving the country’s education standards.
It would be recalled that, the FUHSO governing Council suspended the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Innocent A.O. Ujah and conveyed same to the Federal Ministry of Education via a letter dated 31st October, 2024; barely three weeks to the end of his tenure as VC.
The Council, presided over by Engr. Salami went further to appoint the former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin), Prof. Ediga Agbo who was no longer a staff of the university as the acting Vice Chancellor of the University.
But the Education Ministry swiftly objected to the suspension of the VC and the appointment of Prof. Agbo, via a letter dated 1st November, 2024, ordering the Council to reinstate Prof. Ujah, to enable him complete his tenure.
Paragraph 6 of the letter signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, reads: “In the light of the above, I am to request the 2nd Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, to reinstate the suspended Vice Chancellor (Prof. Innocent A.O. Ujah) to enable the Vice Chancellor complete his tenure of office that is due to elapse on 6th November, 2024 in order to restore peace in the academic community of the University”.
Consequently, the suspended Pioneer VC, Prof. Ujah, attended and presided over the Senate meeting of November 5, 2024, where the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Steve Obekpa Abah emerged as acting VC, in an overwhelming voting system.
But in a brazen disregard for the position of the Ministry and Senate of FUHSO, the Council Chairman in a statement on the 6th November, 2024, urged the public to shun the news of the appointment of Prof. Abah as acting VC, insisting Prof. Ujah who presided over the Senate remained suspended.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, Pro. Innocent A.O. Ujah remains suspended from his position as Vice-Chancellor and lacks any legal authority to summon a meeting of the University Senate. Furthermore, it must be emphasized that FUHSO currently has a legally appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ediga Bede Agbo, whose position remains unchanged. The dissemination of this false information does not alter the lawful administration of the University”, the Council Chairman said.
