For an institution that has operated without a substantive rector for a whole academic session, the death of the Registrar of Federal Polytechnic, Offa in Kwara state, Mr Adetunji Oni may have further pushed the institution into limbo with major academic and administrative matters calling for attention.
Oni, who died on August 18, had held the fort with the expiration of the tenure of the acting registrar, Dr Larongbe Akanbi Afolabi, who took over from the immediate past rector, Dr Lateef Olatunji on 13th January 2022.
Since Afolabi’s tenure supposedly expired in July 2022, without renewal or extension by the parent ministry, the institution, no doubt has been in breach of the Polytechnic Act 2019 which stipulates six months for an acting rector, except if the appointment is renewed.
The late Oni had provided administrative guidance to the institution until his death. He had filled the lacuna, though it was clear that the headless management was bogged down by varied problems since major academic and administrative matters could not be attended to without a substantive rector.
A staff who craved anonymity, explained that “students’ results cannot be considered and certificates issued because there’s no substantive rector”
The appointment of a new rector for the Federal Polytechnic Offa has become a ding dong between the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, President Muhamadu Buhari and his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, who, perhaps, have different opinions on who should head the institution.
Multiple sources told Midlandpost that after the conclusion of appointment processes by the statutory bodies, three names were forwarded to the minister of education. The three names recommended for appointment as new rector, based on their performances during an interview, according to a source, were Dr. Raji, Sarafa Adebayo, Dr. Kadiri, Kamoru O and Dr. Akinde, Mukail Aremu.
According to documents seen by this medium, 28 applicants were shortlisted and interviewed for the vacant position of the Rector. Dr. Raji came first scoring 80.8 over 100. Dr. Kadiri came second with 79.9 while Dr. Akinde was third with 75.4.
Following the recommendation to President Buhari by the Governing Council of Offa Poly, the minister recommended Dr. Kadiri, who came second, to the president for appointment as new rector in a letter dated 1st February 2022.
The president, it was said, did not agree with the recommendation of Adamu but rather instructed his chief of staff to convey his approval of Dr. Raji as the next rector of the institution.
Another letter sighted by Midlandpost dated 30th March 2022, signed by Gambari, and addressed to the minister, stated:
“With reference to your letter DHE/POLYXV/C.I/VII/781 dated 1st February 2022, I write to convey to you Mr. President’s approval for the appointment of Dr. Sarafa Adebayo Raji on merit, as the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, for a single tenure of five(5) years with effect from 28th March 2022…”
Five months into the directive of Mr. President, the Honourable minister, who represents the Visitor to the Polytechnic, in a manner that suggests spurning the presidency has refused to act on the president’s order.
Statutorily, Section 8 (3) (d) 8 (4) of the Polytechnic Act 2019 is clear on the appointment of a new rector. According to the Act, “A Joint Council, Academic Board, Congregation and Selection Board… “Shall consider the candidates on the shortlist drawn up under subsection (2) (a) (ii) through an examination of their curriculum vitae and interaction with them and recommend in order of performance ranking, through the Council, to the President, three candidates for his consideration.
Subsection (4) concluded that “The President shall appoint, as Rector, one of the candidates recommended to him under subsection (3)”
The Minister of Education has not come clear on what has delayed his assent to a letter of appointment of a new rector for the polytechnic, even as a large number of staff are worried that merit might have been jettisoned for other considerations. A very senior academic staff said “Though there could be intrinsic considerations, especially if we consider the need to uphold federal character principles and the politics that some times crop in, in the appointment of public officers but, in this case, not a single member of the host community is a principal officer in the institution”
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