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-2sFfrXcWfc.jpeg "Tunji Alausa")
ABUJA,Nigeria (NAN) - The Committee on University Education in the House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, concerning the disbandment of certain university councils across the nation.
During a committee session held in Abuja, it was decided to also invite Abdullahi Ribadu, the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, as well as leaders from other pertinent government bodies in the education sector.
This meeting aimed to discuss a petition against the suspended vice-chancellor of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Stella Lemchi.
The petition was lodged by a group named Concerned Interviewed Professors for the Post of Vice-Chancellor at Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, and was signed by Kingsley Ikebudu and Joshua Umeifekwem.
The petition contended that Lemchi lacked the qualifications to serve as a vice-chancellor or to be appointed as the permanent vice-chancellor.
The petitioners claimed that Lemchi had never worked at Imo State University and erroneously asserted that she possessed a professorship in a non-existent discipline at IMSU.
However, Julius Ozuagwu, the registrar of IMSU, refuted the petitioners' claims, affirming that Lemchi was correctly appointed as a reader/associate professor at IMSU.
He clarified that her advancement to the title of professor followed the appropriate procedures and complied with NUC standards for academic staff promotions.
Ozuagwu also noted that Lemchi was on secondment and authorized to conclude her term as provost of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri.
In his ruling, committee chairman Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa) indicated that all pertinent stakeholders would be invited to respond to the petition.
Fulata elaborated that the stakeholders would also tackle matters relating to the ongoing dissolution of university councils and the dismissal of certain vice-chancellors.
He emphasized the necessity of job security for all university personnel, including council members and vice-chancellors, highlighting the significance of involving relevant stakeholders in the discussions.
