By Austin Ogwuda
DELTA State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Nyerhovwo Tonukari appearing during a flagship Public Affairs Programme – ‘Orientation Panorama’ on Voice of Delta Radio, Wednesday explained that the Governing Council of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku acted ultra vires their powers by suspending the Rector of the School, Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu.
He pointed out that the Board or the Chairman cannot and should never exercise disciplinary actions on the Rector, explaining that “only the State Governor who is the Visitor to the Polytechnic, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has the right and privileges to suspend or discipline the Rector, while the Governing Council can only recommend disciplinary measures to the Visitor for consideration.
“The Chairman of the Governing Council is only superior to the Rector at Convocation ceremonies and during Governing Council meetings”, the Commissioner stated point blank.
*the embattled Rector, Prof Emmanuel Achuenu
Recall that the Chairman of the School’s Governing Council, Pastor Paul Adingwupu has continued to stand his ground on this matter despite official communication to him by the Commissioner ordering him to reinstate the suspended Rector.
His claim is that the Council under his watch was absolutely right by suspending the Rector, after meticulously following the prescribed laid down rules of the institution.
*audacious Pastor Paul Adingwupu, Chairman of the Governing Council… refusing to blink ?
Prof Tonukari said Lecturers in Delta tertiary institutions don’t go on strike because they are well paid, far better than their counterparts in the country and that the State government constantly funded accreditation of all academic programmes in tertiary institutions.
He noted that since inception of Oborewvori administration over 40 academic programmmes have been added to the State Universities, pointing to show the governor’s unwavering commitment to upscaling the standard of education in the State.
According to him, “Many parents across Nigeria are craving to transfer their children to Delta State Universities and other tertiary institutions because of the standard of education in the State. Our students graduates on time. A four year programme is a four year programme.
“Lecturers don’t go on strike in Delta State. They are well paid, far better than their counterparts in other states of the federation. They can never participate in ASUU strikes, no reason to do that.
“Delta tertiary institutions admit the highest number of 100 level students in the country as a result of increased academic programmes and number of tertiary institutions in the state. We are far ahead of other states in Nigeria.
“In the past year we admitted over 25,000 students and there are now over 90,000 students and counting in Delta State owned tertiary institutions.
“Delta State Government fund all academic programmes accreditation for universities and other higher institutions. And more academic and non academic staff would be needed in the higher institutions, particularly in the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education”.
Orientation Panorama is a flagship public affairs program of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau in collaboration with Delta Broadcasting Service, and aired live every Wednesdays at 3pm.
The live interactive program is anchored by Ace Broadcaster, Joy Ochei.
