The Federal Government has inaugurated the recently constituted governing councils for federal tertiary institutions in the country.
They include governing councils of federal universities, federal polytechnics and federal colleges of education.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, while inaugurating the councils in Abuja on Thursday, urged council members to discharge their responsibility responsibly.
Mamman called on the councils to abide by the existing laws guiding their institutions to ensure good management of their institutions.
Mamman emphasised the need to adhere to the laws and regulations that establish and govern the various institutions.
According to him, compliance with these legal frameworks would ensures that these institutions operate with integrity and accountability.
“As Governing Councils, one of your responsibilities is to ensure good management, healthy growth and development of your Institutions.
“You should be abreast of the current Acts of your various institutions, government policies, White Papers (if any); Circulars, Gazettes and other relevant documents, relating to the institutions.
“One of the challenges that Governing Councils regularly face during their tenure is the appointment of Principal Officers.
” As a Council, you must ensure that proper attention and priority are given to the relevant Acts of the institutions and government guidelines for the process of such appointments as well as ensure fairness and transparency,” he said.
The Minister further advised the Councils to adhere to the ideals of transparency and probity guiding their dealings, while also urging then to encourage responsible unionism in their institutions.
“Governing Councils should encourage responsible unionism in their respective institutions while arresting the problems of cultism and drug abuse by students.
“Effective strategies should be put in place by Councils for early detection and eradication of social wees such as sexual harassment, theft, extortion and inducement, ” he added.
He advised that the councils should address numerous challenges facing the tertiary institutions ranging from proliferation of illegal institutions, gender imbalance, certificate racketeering, among others.
According to him, the government cannot meet all the needs of institutions so management of institutions must join forces to help the government.
He pleaded with the councils to collaborate with private sector to generate funds for the institutions, noting that the insufficient funding had led to education decline.
In a goodwill message, the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, welcomed the newly inaugurated council members.
Bugaje urged the councils to embrace the fortune of their various institutions and ‘think outside the box’ to create innovative ways of generating funds for their institutions.
While also advising the council members to call the various union groups to order.
He explained that putting the unions ‘in line’ would fast track the achievement of the renewed hope agenda of this administration.
Responding on behalf of Governing councils, the Pro-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Chief Wole Olanipekun, appealed to the federal government to help universities to be more productive.
Olanipekun said universities would only be productive if allowed to manage its internally generated revenue rather than sending the monies to the Treasury Single Accounts (TSA) of the government.
He, therefore, charged his colleagues to build the various institutions while also avoiding any form of rancour between them and the university’s management.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State has Air Cdre. Emmanuel Jekada as Pro-Chancellor/Chairman and Usua Akpan, Sen. Lanre Tejuosho, Modu Mustapha, Olusegun White members
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State has Alhaji Yayale Ahmed as Pro-Chancellor/Chairman and Opeyemi Oni, Hon. Rufus Bature, Hon. Wumi Ohwovoriole, Hon. Matthew Akpan as members.
Alex Ekwueme University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State has Chinwuba Owoh as Pro Chancellor/Chairman and Saidu Njidda, Duben Maghol, Amb. Eniola Ajayi and Royce Umahi as members.
Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Oyo State, Oba AbdulRasheed Olabisi as
Pro-Chancellor/Chairman and Prince Ford Ozumba, Yakubu Salam, Lawan Shuaib and Hon.Mohammed Gerei as Members.
Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri has Sen. Joy Emordi as Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, and Prof. Eshiett Unaowo-Eshiett, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, Ikenna Anyalebechi and Hon. Ibrahim Yusuf as members.
Bayero University, Kano, Kano State has Sen. Udoma Udoma as Pro-Chancellor/Chairman and Prof. Idris Maiduguri, Prof. Uchenna Nzewi, Salisu Birniwa and Fola Akinsete as members, among others.
The constitution of boards of federal polytechnics are: Federal Polytechnic Isuochi, Umunnoechi, Abia State has Segun Oshin as Chairman and Meseko Janet, Mr Emmanuel Okpe, Mijinyawa Kugama and Engr. Nurudeen Ajibade as members
Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Dr Babagana Ajimi as Chairman and Prof. Omenogo Mejabi, Asamu Umaru, Patience Kwache and Engr. Ejike Chukwu as members.
Federal Polytechnic Ukana, Akwa Ibom State Dr Emaeyak Ukpong as Chairman and Dr Ndubuisi Nwankwo, Grace Gekpe, Edhekpo Uyouyo and Isa Bagalti as members.
Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State has Salisu Kallamu as Chairman, Nwankwu Gregory, Pam Gyang, Hon. Morah Mozie and Mrs Pamela Nwansoh as members, among others.
Also, the constitution of board of federal colleges of education are:
Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, Delta has Dr Jones Uzoka as Chairman and Ekweremadu Echeta, Mrs Geraldine Etuk, Imam Altukri and Mohammed Idris as members.
Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo has Hon. Timothy Owoeye as Chairman, Mrs Olanrewaju Otiti, Hon. Oyintiloye Olatubosun, Dr Sabina Attah and Brig.-Gen. Clement Uwah, (rtd) as members.
Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State has Prof. Mojeeb Alabu as Chairman and Lanre Edun, Hon. Abdul Oroh, Alhaji Shehu and Hon. Bashar Isa members, among others. (NAN)