ASUU Threatens To Severe Ties With UNIPORT VC, Slams Minister Of Education

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has threatened to cease cooperation with the acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Stephen Okodudu from January 2021.

Chairman of ASUU in UNIPORT, Austen Sado issued the threat at a media briefing in the School campus.

Sado who accused the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu for the maladministration in the University, said the lack of a Governing Council in the university is causing a lot of harm to the welfare of staff.

Sado, however, said the actions of the Minister of Education which he claimed is being politicised has violated the University Acts.

According to the ASUU Chairman, “We are compelled to draw the attention of the government to the breach of the University’s Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2003 and the attendant consequences.

“Contrary to the provisions of this Act which is the flagrant breach of same, the Federal government being the body vested with powers to ensure compliance to the Laws of the land has continued to uphold illegality in the administration of the University of Port Harcourt.

“Based on the decision and politicization by the Federal government, the Honourable Minister of Education has taken over the role of the Council of the University of Port Harcourt, he caused the maladministration in the University, he has caused the welfare of staff including promotions to be put in abeyance, stalled the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor for the University of Port Harcourt, etc.

“The power to appoint a Vice-Chancellor of any Federal University is vested in the Governing Council of the University.

“The Act stipulates that an Acting Vice-Chancellor can function for only a period of 6month. Therefore, the University will only be tolerant of the Acting Vice-Chancellor just for 6 months.

“The Academic Staff Union of the University of Port Harcourt will no longer cooperate with an Acting Vice-Chancellor beyond the 13th of January, 2021.”

President Muhammadu Buhari in June this year approved the appointment of Prof. Stephen Agochi Okodudu as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Port Harcourt which took effect from 13th July 2020.