Stop the in-fighting at FUHSO

The tussle for the leadership of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), if left unchecked may torpedo the growth and development of the young institution that was established barely five years ago. It is on record that many opposed to the leadership style of the pioneer Vice Chancellor and others that are determined to minimize his role in influencing the choice of a successor, had locked horns in a fight culminating in the suspension of the Vice Chancellor on October 17, 2024, barley three weeks to the end of his tenure, today, November 6th, 2024. As at late Tuesday night, various narrations state that there are two Acting Vice Chancellors calling the shot in the school. First, there is Professor Agbo Ediga who was appointed on October 17, 2024 by the Governing Council after it suspended the out-going Vice Chancellor, Professor Innocent Ujah on the allegation of acts of insubordination and other offences. Even though a letter by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo and addressed to the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council ordered the reversal of the suspension of Professor Ujah, the Pro Chancellor insists that as the representative of the President of the Federal Republic, who is the Visitor and Chancellor of the University, the Permanent Secretary can not reverse or counter his decision. Armed with the reinstatement letter by the Permanent Secretary, the suspended Vice Chancellor Ujah, was reported to have stormed the university yesterday, November 5, and summoned a meeting of the senate which notice, Nigerian Anchor gathered was served on select members of the senate. Following this move, the Pro Chancellor was reported to have mobilised men of the Nigerian Police to seal off the venue. This was however, countered by a troupe of the Nigerian Army that was allegedly invited by the embattled Vice Chancellor. It is reported that another Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Stephen O. Abah has been announced by the outgoing Vice Chancellor. Nigerian Anchor sources reveal that a tense atmosphere now prevail on the university campus. We condemn this unbridled quest for power by all actors and call for cessation of hostilities without further ado. The university is a citadel of learning and a centre of excellence from where the larger society expects the best conduct at all times. Conducts such as the one unravelling at FUHSO is most shameful and a great embarrassment to the university community, especially the students who, all along had perceived these personalities as role models. Most affected by this despicable conduct of the characters engaged in this power tussle are the good people of the Idoma nation and the illustrious sons and daughters who laboured and fought to attract this unique Ivory Tower to be located at the heart of the Idoma nation. It is a no brainer emphasizing that this unfortunate incident presents grave reputational cost to the Idoma nation, seeing as most of the dramatis personae are Idoma who should have learnt not to launder their dirty linens in public. Finally, we call on authorities at the supervising Ministry of Education not to take sides with any of the warring factions but act as a principled arbiter and firmly order that parties sheath the sword and allow peace to reign by acting based on the rule of law and respect for constituted authority.

FG Reverses Sack, Returns Prof. Ujah as FUHSO VC

The supervising Federal Ministry of Education has finally intervened to halt the messy fight between the second Governing Council and the Management of the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo (FUHSO), which led to the suspension of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Innocent Ujah on October 17, 2024. In a letter last Friday, November 1, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo reversed the decision of the Governing Council which suspended the Vice Chancellor at a meeting where he was absent. The Permanent Secretary also directed that Professor Ujah be reinstated as Vice Chancellor to complete his term of office which ends on November 6. Dr. Gwarzo asserted in the letter that, “The Ministry notes that both the Vice Chancellor and the 2nd Council of FUHSO were wrong in one way or the other in managing the affairs of FUHSO which culminated in the suspension of the Vice Chancellor.” “The Ministry regrets the deterioration of the official relationship between the 2nnd Council of FUHSO with the suspended Vice Chancellor (Professor Innocent Ujah),” the letter read. The Permanent Secretary went further to affirm that the frosty relation between the two organs of the management of the institution “stunted the smooth running of the university.” THE BACKGROUND: Benue Varsity Suspends Pioneer VC Over Alleged Misconduct The letter was addressed to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University. It was a reply to the Chairman’s letter dated October 31st, 2024, titled: SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE AS VICE-CHANCELLOR, PROF. INNOCENT A. O. UJAH.” The Ministry observed that even though it is within the statutory powers of the Council to suspend the Vice Chancellor, the 2nd Council acted outside the provisions of the University (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993, especially section 3(13) “which requires that in the event of vacancy in the office of the Vice Chancellor, the Council shall appoint an Acting Vice Chancellor on the recommendation of the Senate.” ,

Prof. Ediga Agbo appointed FUHSO acting V/Chancellor

Professor Ediga Agbo has been appointed as the acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State. His appointment was sequel to the suspension of Professor Innocent Ujah, the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Nigeria’s maiden university of health sciences. A source who confided in Nigerian Anchor disclosed that the Governing Council of the University, at a meeting in Otukpo, suspended Professor Ujah, whose tenure as VC was due to elapse in early November 2024, with immediate effect. Announcing his replacement with an acting VC, it was disclosed that Professor Ujah’s suspension was connected to sundry reasons bothering on insubordination and dereliction of duty. Our source hinted that Professor Ujah’s suspension was due, mainly, to the allegation of “Failing to respond to several memos from Pro-Chancellor requesting for audited accounts of the University, inventory of mobile and immobile assets.” Another reason adduced for the suspension was his “Appointing and publicly announcing a Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) without the consent of the Governing Council.” He was also accused of “Travelling abroad without the permission of the Council and not returning to the university on a date contained in a letter he directed a Deputy Registrar of the University to transmit to the Council after he had travelled.” Professor Ujah was also accused of “Failing to notify the Governing Council of his retirement from the university system on 6th of November, 2024 after much persuasion from the Pro-Chancellor to do so.” Professor Agbo, the acting Vice Chancellor was confirmed as professor of Microbiology in 2003 at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.

Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo Shutdown

Protesting workers have shutdown the nation’s premier Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo (FUHSO), Benue State. As of press time, neither students nor workers are allowed into the main campus of the university by the protesters who are mainly security personnel. A member of staff who spoke to Nigerian Anchor on condition of anonymity explained that the protest is over non-payment of their salaries. Explaining further, the staff said the university is currently on autopilot as neither the Vice Chancellor, Professor Innocent Ujah nor any of his deputies is on campus to address the protesting workers. Further details to follow shortly…

Appointment of DVC: FUHSO Senate in rowdy session

Uneasy calm settles over Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO) as the frantic effort of the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Innocent Ujah to appoint a Deputy Vice Chancellor pitches him against other management staff of the university. Nigerian Anchor investigations reveal that on October 3, 2024, the VC summoned the Senate to elect Professor Oladapo Shittu as Deputy VC (Administration). The position became vacant on September 30, following the expiration of the tenure of Professor Ediga Agbo in that office. It was however revealed that Professor Shittu’s leave of absence from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) also expired on September, 30 2024 and had bidden farewell to return as a staff of ABU. Other Professors in the University cited relevant sections of the establishment Act of the University to fault the manner in which the VC went about the exercise. According to a Professor who spoke to Nigerian Anchor, but requested not to have the name mentioned, “The Council is supposed to call for the process before the Vice-Chancellor can go ahead with it because until the Council receives the report and confirms the nominee, he cannot parade himself as Deputy Vice-Chancellor.” Our source stated that, “according to the law, the Vice-Chancellor is supposed to present two candidates for the senate to elect one.” The Vice Chancellor was also accused of ambushing the Senate by the procedure employed in tabling the subject at the meeting. It was alleged that for a matter as weighty as appointment of the Deputy Vice (Administration) it was never listed on the agenda of the meeting. It was also alleged that the VC neither informed the Pro-Chancellor nor informed the Governing Council of the University. In fact, it was stated that the VC capitalised on the alleged incompetence of the Registrar to wangle his way through the senate approval. “The incompetence of the Registrar was glaring by the fact that being the custodian of the law and being in attendance, he should have drawn the attention of the Vice-Chancellor to the illegality of his action, but he failed to do so,” it was alleged. It was a fractious senate session where Professors opposed to the CV and those in support had virulent verbal exchanges with the VC being bombarded with several posers like: “For a Vice-Chancellor who is due to vacate his position in a matter of four weeks, did he consider it proper to appoint a new Deputy Vice-Chancellor for an incoming Acting Vice-Chancellor? Did the Vice-Chancellor carry the Governing Council (at least the Pro-Chancellor) along and seek their consent before proceeding with the action?” Over all, it was alleged that the Vice Chancellor called the bluff of the lecturers, insisting that as the CEO of the University, he does not need to consult the Council on every matter.