Following the amendment of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Law 005 of 2016, which has been assented to by Governor David Umahi, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, in Abakaliki, Prof Francis Idike, and other principal officers of the institution have been ordered to immediately vacate their offices.

Giving the order yesterday in Abakaliki after assenting to the amended law, Umahi said having exhausted their eight-year tenure as stipulated in the amendment, the officers should bow out with immediate effect (with effect from today).

The governor expressed concern over the five-year, two tenure, as was enshrined in the law before its amendment, noting that a vice chancellor may develop brain drain within his 10 years in office.

He, however, stated that the amended law provides for the positions of deputy vice-chancellors, academics, as well as administration, which was in the old law, but was never implemented by the past administrations.

He added that the amended law also allows a vice chancellor to remain in office beyond 70 years. Umahi also urged the institution’s management to find ways to reduce its outrageous staff strength to enable it meet up with the economic realities in the country.

The governor also approved the gazetting of the academic and non-academic staff of the institution, noting that with the economic situation in the country, subvention to the university would be determined by the allocation received by the state government.

He frowned at the alleged harassment and intimidation of members of the university community by the host community and mandated the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Bernard Odoh, Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr. Sunday Inyima, and the Senior Special Assistant on Security, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala, to mobilise policemen to disperse all illegal occupants in the university’s land. (The Guardian)

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