By NATHAN NWAKAMMA

The Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe in Bayelsa has suspended the Rector, Dr Agbabiaka Lukman and has appointed Dr Timine Suoware to hold the office in acting capacity.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspension and appointment are contained in a letter dated Oct. 9, signed by Chairman, Governing Council of the Polytechnic, Dr. Baba Ajimi.

Suoware until his appointment was Deputy Rector in charge of academics at the institution located at Ekowe, on the banks of River Nun in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

According to the letter, the appointment takes immediate effect.

?I am directed by the 5th Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa State, to convey your appointment as the Acting Rector with immediate effect.

?The appointment is necessitated by the vacuum created due to the suspension of the Rector (Dr. Agbabiaka Lukman Adegoke) by the Governing Council, subject to the approval of the Hon. Minister of Education.

?As the Acting Rector, you are to perform the functions of the Chief Executive of the Polytechnic, responsible for the general management and operations of the institution, by providing academic leadership to the management and staff and reporting to the Governing Council in line with the provisions of the Polytechnic Act,? the letter read in part.

It will be recalled that the current development follows a mediatory meeting of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa with management and workers union over a lingering labour dispute that kept the polytechnic shut since July 11.

The minister?s intervention resolved the industrial dispute resulting in the resumption of academic activities on Oct. 6.

Alausa had at the Sept. 28 meeting directed the Governing Council to set up a panel to investigate allegations of misconduct and breach of the Polytechnic Act and report findings within three weeks.

The Governing Council subsequently convened an emergency Council meeting on Oct. 4, where it was resolved to suspend Agbabiaka. (NAN)

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