Kwara State University Shut Down Over Appointment of New VC

Latest: Kwara State University Shut Down Over Appointment of New VC

Prior to our previous posts on Kwara State University, where the Vice-Chancellor was sacked with immediate effect, the National Association of Nigerian students Students (NANS) and the students of the University on Wednesday issued a 24 hour ultimatum to the state government on appointment of an acting vice chancellor for the university, condemning the directive given to the vice-chancellor, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, to proceed on terminal leave before expiration of his tenure in July 2019.

The Management is response to this has decided to close the university till further notice, to prevent against any possible disturbances by students.

In a statement signed by the deputy vice-chancellor (Academics) of the university, Professor Sakah Mahmud, on Thursday, said that the measure was to ensure the security of the campus. The statement reads: “Because of recent developments in our state and in the University and our students’ reactions to the Government’s appointment of an Acting Vice Chancellor in which the students gave a 24 hour ultimatum to government, the University Management (and three University Members of the Governing Council) met yesterday, Wednesday, 8 May, 2019 and decided to temporarily close the university until further notice as a preventive measure against any possible disturbances.”

“I want to re-emphasize that this measure is to ensure the security of our great campus. I am in touch with the Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman, and he indicates total support that closing the campus at this time is desirable. Thank God that exams have been completed and gradings are still ongoing, with some lecturers already uploading their grades.”

“Staff and students should leave the University quietly and ensure the safety of property and life. Reports reaching me indicates that a contingence of police (in vehicles belonging to KWIRS) were being driven towards the campus and it took some intervention to get them to return to Ilorin.

KWASU does not want any situation in which the ongoing temporary crisis which would be safely and easily resolved by the grace of God lead into the loss of any life. Please take your luggage and other personal properties and go home safely until further notice.

Please, this decision goes into effect immediately. The Office of Campus Safety is hereby notified and to please monitor everywhere to ensure peace and safety on campus”.

Earlier: Kwara State University Vice-Chancellor Sacked With Immediate Effect

Kwara State University VC has been sacked with immediate effect. See details below.

Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, the Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU) has been directed to step down from office with immediate effect, while Professor Kenneth Adeyemi has been directed to serve as acting Vice Chancellor while Mr Naalah proceeds on terminal leave. This development was conveyed in a statement by the Kwara government on Monday afternoon.

Mr Na’allah, 56, was appointed vice-chancellor at the inception of the university in the 2009-2010 academic session. The state government did not give any reason for the sudden removal of Mr Na’Allah, the pioneer head of the institution.

The Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Abdullahi Alikinla, urged Mr Adeyemi to “take charge of responsibilities relating to the smooth running of the institution in accordance with the law establishing it.” Mr Alikinla said Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed took the decisions regarding the two professors in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Kwara State University Law 2009, as amended.

The law, he said, empowers the governor, as the visitor to the University, to appoint and remove the Vice Chancellor for good cause and following due consultations.

However, the Nigerian Tribune is quoting the chairman of the university’s governing council, Saka Nuru, as dissociating the council from the governor’s action.

However, Nigerian Tribune while reporting the story quoted the chairman of the university’s governing council, Saka Nuru, as saying;

“This directive is not in tune with the University’s law and is going to lead to distraction from the Rain Semester examination and the process appointment of principal officers that are currently in progress,”

“This action of the state government is illegal and the Governing Council of KWASU has no hand in the directive.”