Adams Oshiomhole suspends AAU Vice-Chancellor!

The crisis that engulfed the Edo State-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, in the last two months has culminated in the sack of the institution's vice-chancellor (VC), Sam Uniamikogbo, by the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday.

The crisis began in the wake of violent protests by the students following a hike in tuition fees. In response, the school authorities suspended principal officers of the student union. This resulted in litigation as the students dragged the school authorities to court challenging the suspension order. The case was, however, withdrawn for an out-of-court settlement.

A press statement from the office of the governor, issued and signed by the special adviser to the governor on media, Tony Iyare, said that Mr Uniamikogbo's removal, which takes immediate effect, was to make way for the repositioning and reorganisation of the university, as an acting VC has been appointed.

The statement reads in part: "In exercise of his powers under the Act establishing the AAU, the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has decided to remove the present Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Professor Sam Uniamikogbo with immediate effect.

"The governor has also resolved that in order to reposition the university on a sound administrative and financial footing, the management of AAU needs a complete reorganisation and overhaul."

Beyond student crisis

However, NEXT investigation revealed that the reason for the suspension of the vice- chancellor went beyond the student crisis. He allegedly incurred the wrath of the governor for his lack of knowledge of the financial position of the school.

For instance, when he was invited to the floor of the Edo State House of Assembly during the crisis and asked to give an audit report on the institution, Mr Uniamikogbo, an economist, could not tell the honourable members how much the university received from school fees, which meant that he had no record of how many students were in the school.

"The governor has also directed that the former VC hand over to the Dean, Faculty of Law, Professor (Mrs) Cordelia Agbebaku who will act pending the appointment of a substantive VC," the statement said.

Source:
http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5697053-146/story.csp