Plateau University’s ASUU Prevails On Jang To Return Suspended VC

Posted by African Examiner education, Featured, Latest Headlines, News From The State Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

From Agabus Pwanagba, Jos

The suspension of the Vice Chancellor of Solomon Lar University, Bokkos, (Plateau State University), by the Plateau State Governor and Visitor to the Citadel, Jonah Jang, has continued to generate more reactions, as the University’s Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has urged the State’s number one man to reverse his action so as to allow peace reign, as well as smooth running of academic work which is being threatened.

It would be recalled that Governor Jang fortnight ago in a press statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, James Mannok, suspended the Vice Chancellor.

The statement reads, “The Visitor to the Plateau State University Bokkos, Dr. Jonah David Jang CON has suspended the Vice Chancellor, Professor Doknan Decent Danjuma Sheni with effect from 30th October, 2014. In the interim, Professor Stephen J. Mallo has been appointed to act pending further notice.

“While wishing Professor Mallo fruitful and purposeful leadership, he has been mandated to commence preparation for accreditation of all the programmes of the University. He is also to stabilize the system and harmonized all the organs of the University for a harmonious working relationship.

However, the institution’s ASUU in a press statement made available to AFRICAN EXAMINER, Tuesday in Jos and signed by its Chairperson, Dr. Chris Piwuna and Secretary, Dr. Noel Wannang, the body states: “As a branch, ASUU University of Jos has nurtured and facilitated the receiving of funds by Plateau State University from Federal Government through the NEEDS assessment.

Following the aforementioned, the Union said it was constrained to observe that, “Academic activities in the University is threatened by the action of the Visitor to the University”, including his purported unilateral removal of the Vice Chancellor.

“His purported re-appointment of a DVC which are clearly a breach to the extant rules establishing the University.

The Union noted that, only recently the institution was re-opened after a long closure, stressing “there is no doubt that the current state of affairs will jeopardize the accreditation of the University courses and programmes”.

“As a Union, it is our responsibility to protect the integrity of academics and statute establishing the University, thus, draw attention to these breaches and urge the Visitor to reverse his actions and allow peace to reign and academic work that is being threatened progresses .

It would also be recalled that, A Federal High Court sitting in Jos had on the November 6, 2014, declared as null and void the suspension of the Vice Chancellor of the Solomon Lar University, Bokkos, (Plateau State University), Prof. Danjuma Sheni.

Governor Jonah Jang has been ordered by the Court to appear on November, 17 and explain the justification for suspending the VC.

The suspended Don had through his counsel, Garba Pwul, (SAN), gone to court asking it to enforce his fundamental right for fair hearing under the Fundamental Human Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules as provided for in Section 36 of the 1999 constitution.

Justice Ambrose Allagoa, who gave the ruling ordered all action against the Vice Chancellor to be put on hold, pending the full determination of the matter.