By Balkis Tijani
Following the approval of Professor Kenneth S. Adeyemi as acting Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU) by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, the governing council of the institution headed by a retired professor of veterinary medicine, Professor Saka Nuru, has distanced itself from the action of the governor.
The Commissioner of Tertiary Education, Science and Technology in the state, Barrister Abdullahi S. Alikinla, had in few hours ago announced the appointment of Professor Adeyemi in acting capacity, following the directive issued the incumbent vice chancellor, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’allah to proceed on terminal leave preparatory to the completion of his tenure which expires in July 2019.
While announcing the appointment, Barrister Alikinla said Governor Ahmed took the decision to appoint a acting vice chancellor for the institution in line with the powers conferred on him by the law establishing the university which he said “empowers the visitor to the university to appoint and remove vice chancellor for good cause and following due consultations”.
However, in a new twist, the governing council of the institution had issued a statement to distance itself from the decision of the state governor.
In a release titled, ” Illegal Action: KWASU Governing Council Disassociate Itself From Ag. VC appointment” signed by the chairman of the council, professor Saka Nuru; the body said it cannot come to term with the decision of the governor to send the incumbent VC on terminal leave when he is yet to complete his tenure which ends on 27th July, 2019.
“This directive is not in tune with the University’s law and is going to lead to distraction from the Rain Semesta examination and the process of appointment of principal officers that are currently in progress”, the statement said.
The council also reiterate that the action taken by the governor is illegal and therefore does not enjoy its endorsement.