For the second time in quick succession,
uncertainty is trailing the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for
the university of Jos in Plateau state.
Professor Sebastian Maimako was at the
weekend appointed as the 9th Vice Chancellor of the university to take
over from Professor Hayward Mafuyai whose tenure will expire on June 23,
this year. This was after an interview by the institution’s Governing
Council led by Chief Don Etiebet in which no fewer than 18 candidates
participated.
It was gathered that before the
announcement of the new Vice chancellor last Friday, members of the
institution’s chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association who have been
at logger head with the leadership over a clause, which allegedly
prevented them from participating in the selection of a new
vice-chancellor had secured a court order on the eve of the appointment
restraining the Governing Council from going ahead with the exercise but
the council went ahead to announce a new vice chancellor.
Sources close to the NMA in Jos
yesterday said the association would today initiate a contempt of court
proceedings against the university in Bauchi State where the case is
being handled.There are fears that the motion if successful, may stall
the inauguration of the new Vice Chancellor in June.
The current controversy surrounding the
appointment of the VC started in 2011 when the university advertised for
the position stating that to qualify for the position, a candidate must
be a professor of at least five years standing and he or she must
possess a doctoral degree.
The advertisement had triggered
apprehension among members of the NMA who perceived it as a ploy to
disenfranchise them from the race, a development that made them approach
the court to contest the requirements.
The doctors had argued that the number
of years spent in training and qualifying as medical doctors, as well as
working as consultants, were enough to place them on the same level as
holders of doctoral degrees and as such, should not be excluded in the
race.
The case which was first instituted at
the Federal High court in Jos when the current Vice chancellor was
appointed about five years ago later moved to Bauchi State after
complaints by members of the NMA over lack of confidence by the
presiding judge.
Although the senate later removed the
controversial clause, the doctors have not given up on the case, as
they, through their counsel are insisting that further action bordering
on selection of VC should be put on hold until the final determination
of the pending suit.
Below are pictures of Prof. S S Maimako
being given the letter of appointment by the Chairman of the University
of Jos Governing council Chief Don Ettiebet.
Source: VIEWPOINT NIGERIA
