Former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and Ex-minister of Statee for Defence, Chief Olusola Obada, were among those appointed as Chairmen of the governing councils of some federal universities by President Goodluck Jonathan even as his tenure as president winds down just in 23 days.
President Jonathan who was defeated in the Presidential election held on March 28, 2015, has appointed some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party into some key positions since after he lost to Buhari at the polls.
Daniel was appointed chairman of Governing Council of Federal University in Kashere, Gombe State, while Obada heads the Governing Council of the Federal University in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.
A former Chief of Army Staff during the regime of the late dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, Lt. Gen. Ishaya Bamaiya (retd.), was also appointed Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas in Bonny, Rivers State.
The Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, in Abuja on Tuesday inaugurated the Chairmen and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Governing Councils of 12 new federal universities and four new polytechnics and Board of National Library of Nigeria
Both Daniel and Bamaiyi were absent at the inauguration ceremony but their letters of authority were received on their behalf .
Shekarau enjoined the chairman to eschew undue interference in the day-to-day running of the institutions, adding that governing councils found wanting would be dissolved even ahead of their constitutionally required provision of four years for universities and three years for polytechnics.
He said, “Governing Councils should ensure that the funds allocated by government are judiciously utilized. They should also come up with ideas that will generate more revenue, outside government allocations. In the course of your tenure, you should ensure that proper attention and priority are accorded to the relevant University laws, Polytechnics Act and government guidelines in the appointment of principal officers and other staff. You must ensure that transparency, probity and due process are followed in the selection and appointment so that the best and the right candidates emerge for these positions.
“The idea that the Chief Executive or any principal officer should come from its locality is erroneous and alien to the system and should not be allowed to becloud your decisions. Merit should be the watchword and guiding principle.”
