By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos

Group operating under the ageis of Concerned Citizens of the University of Jos has urged the House of representatives Committee on federal character to in the interest of justice, to retrace their steps and investigate all Federal Universities and make their findings public.

Our correspondent reports that the group comprises of Professors and lecturers of the institution .

Addressing newsmen in Jos ,spokesman of the group Prof Noel Wannang said its attention has been drawn to the recent video trending in the social media on the interactive session, between the House Committee on Federal Character and the Management of the University of Jos.

They said In the said video, the Committee alleged imbalances in the distribution of Staff of the University to the advantage of the North Central Zone and of Plateau State in particular.
Having diligently watched the video clip, we observed the following:
The Committee from its opening remarks had already presumed the University guilty of violating the Federal Character principles. Specifically, they referred to the University as the ‘Federal University of Plateau State’- an act that exposes a premeditated intention.
While the said encounter was meant to be an interaction, we however, noted that it was rather an interrogation of the University Management, who were badgered with questions but not given the chance to adequately respond, thus denying them fair hearing. Specifically, we noted that while the University Management was willing to provide documentary evidence in support of their case, they were denied the opportunity.
We noted, and sadly too, that the Committee of supposedly Honourable law makers descended to the level of issuing threats of prosecution on the University Management; a mandate they clearly lack.
An academic institution such as the University is the ivory tower of learning, hosting a crop of intellectuals/scholars of international repute who train the critical human capital that forms the bedrock of national development as well as engage in researches that culminate in inventions and innovations for scientific advancement, societal development and human security. An interaction with representatives of this institution deserves a high level of decorum, which we found wanting in the video clip.
While this was meant to be a Committee hearing on an investigation that is still on-going, we are at a loss how the video clip found its way out of the custody of the National Assembly into the social media and became viral.
In the light of the foregoing, it is important to educate the Committee and the general public as follows:
Structure of University Management: The Governing Council is the appropriate Organ responsible for appointments, employment and promotion of staff. Such appointments with regards to Principal Officers of the University, are usually well advertised and candidates given equal opportunities by the Council. The Council executes these functions on behalf of the Visitor, who is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. For the avoidance of doubt, the composition of the current management team of the University of Jos is as follows:
Name Position State of Origin
Prof Sebastian Seddi Maimako Vice Chancellor Plateau
(Succeded Prof Hayward Mafuyai) Vice-Chancellor Plateau
Prof Ishaya Tanko DVC (Academic) Kebbi
(Succeeded Prof Nelson Ochekpe DVC (Academic) Benue)
Prof Greg Ejikeme (Administration) Abia
(Succeeded Prof Teresa Nmadu DVC (Administration Niger)
Mr. Philip F. Umbugala Bursar Nassarawa
(Succeeded Mallam Alhassan Ibrahim) Bursar Kogi)
Dr. Thomas A. Adigun Librarian Ogun
(Succeeded Dr Stephen Akintunde Librarian Oyo)
Mr. Monday Danjem Registrar Plateau
(Succeeded Mr. Danjuma Jill-Dandam) Registrar Plateau
It is worthy to note that, since inception of the University- forty five years ago, only six Plateau State indigenes have been appointed Vice Chancellors, and out of 24 Deputy Vice Chancellors, none had ever been from Plateau State. Similarly, in the forty five year history of the University, no Plateau indigene has ever been appointed Librarian; and only two were appointed Bursars.
Note also that the constitution of the Governing Council of any University by the President is objective, respects diversity and selects men and women of impeccable character, covering all shades of interests. In this regard, none of the Chairmen of Council is ever appointed from the catchment area of the University. It is therefore, absurd for the Committee to reduce the appointment of the University Management under the Council to a ‘Plateau affair’.
While we are not against the House Committee carrying out its oversight functions, singling out the University of Jos in the manner they did, suggests a premeditated intention, this we reject in its entirety. For such an exercise to be valid and objective, it should cut across all Federal Universities in Nigeria. Indeed we are aware that the Federal University, Dutsinma in Katsina State (coincidentally, where the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character comes from), has the Vice chancellor, Registrar and Librarian all from Katsina State. Similarly, in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State (Incidentally, where Honourable Samaila Suleiman comes from), the Vice Chancellor who has just gone on terminal leave, the DVC Admin, the Bursar and the Librarian are all from Kano State. In the Federal University of Technology, Akure Ondo State ( where the deputy Chairman of the Committee comes from), all principal officers are from the South-West zone of the Country. These three classic examples typify what is obtainable in most Federal Universities across the country, unlike the balanced appointments practiced in the University of Jos. We therefore wonder why the Committee overlooked these obvious infractions in their backyards and singled out the University of Jos for National ridicule.

“We want to commend the Management of the University of Jos, in their efforts to propel the University to greater heights. We call on the Management not to be distracted by this. We are in absolute solidarity.”

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