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By our reporter, Lafia
The Federal Ministry of Education has appointed a new Acting Rector for the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa following the expiration of the tenure of the previous Rector, Dr Abdullahi Alhassan.
Mrs Safina Sabo, Acting Director of Information and Publicity of the institution said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday.
According to Sabo, the Federal Ministry of Education appointed Dr Samuel James, the institution former Deputy Rector (Academics) as the Acting Rector of the Polytechnic pending the appointment of a substantive Rector.
“This was contained in a letter dated 23rd January, 2024 signed by Dr Ejeh A.U Director, Polytechnic Education and Allied Institutions Department and transmitted to him by the Registrar of the Polytechnic in person of Dr Munir Ahmad,” she said.
She added that James who was the most senior officer when the 5 years single tenure of the former Rector expired on December 31, 2023 had been appointed by management of the institution on January 2, 2024 as overseer of the institution till his recent appointment.
Reacting to the development, the new Acting Rector, Dr Samuel James thanked God and the Federal Ministry of Education for the opportunity to serve and pledge to work closely with management and staff to achieve important goals for the institution.
He, however, debunked recent media allegations that his previous appointment as overseer did not followed due process.
He explained that the appointment was a necessity to avoid a vacuum in leadership because in the absence of a Governing Council, only the Ministry of Education could appoint an Acting or Substantive Rector.
“Firstly the Ministry was informed about the expiration of the tenure of the previous Rector and the law in the amended Polytechnic Act 2019 states that he hands over to the most Senior Chief Lecturer or Officer. So due process was adhered to,” he said
Also speaking, Dr Munir Ahmad, Registrar of the institution added that as at the time the tenure of the previous Rector expired, there was no official correspondence from the office of the Minister of Education on whom should be appointed as Rector or Acting Rector.
“Only the Minister of Education in the absence of the Governing Council has the power to make such appointment. That was the reason why an overseer was appointed to oversee the affairs of the Polytechnic.
“Then, Dr James was to oversee the affairs of the institution pending when the Federal Ministry of Education responds to the letter written by the institution on the expiration of Dr Alhassan’s tenure.
“In some instances the immediate past Rector and my humble self were even accused that we connived to give the appointment of overseer to the present Acting Rector as cover up so that he can go and seek for additional three to six months extension,” she added.
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