..As it constitutes 16 universities and 4 polytechnics’ councils

By Laide Akinboade-Oriere

ABUJA—The Federal Government yesterday, warned members of newly constituted governing councils of 12 universities, 4 polytechnics and National Library of Nigeria not to  hijack the constitutional roles of management of the institutions.

The Minister of Education, Malam ibrahim Shekarau, stated this in Abuja while inaugurating the governing councils.

He decried issues of interference in the management of their respective institutions, stressing that council members wee suppose to be more concerned with policy issues.

He also warned against the embezzlement of funds and that council members should compare notes with government policies to help in decision making.

Shakarau said:   “The councils of institutions are constituted according to the extant laws establishing them.

‘’The councils so constituted at the pleasure of Mr. President shall have four years tenure for the universities and three years tenure for the polytechnics, from the date of inauguration, provided the councils are not found wanting on issues of accountability, transparency and due process. However, a council can be dissolved by the visitor at any time.

“The councils shall exercise their powers in accordance with the laws and statutes establishing each university or Polytechnic. Government constitutes governing councils of institutions for the purpose of governance, good management, growth and development.

‘’The councils will, therefore, be free to discharge their functions and exercise their responsibilities accordingly.

“Let   me reiterate that effective governance neither entails nor necessitates interference of councils in the day-to-day running of institutions.”

The minister also said the members should ensure that funds allocated by government were judiciously utilized and also come up with ideas that would generate more revenue outside government allocations.

The 12  universities include Federal University, Lokoja, Lafia, Kashere, Wukari, Dutsin-Ma, Dutse, Ndufu, Alike, Oye-Ekiti, Otuoke, Birnin-Kebbi, Gusau, and Federal University, Gashua.

The polytechnics are Federal Polytechnic of Oil & Gas, Bonny, Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, and National Institute of Construction Technology, Uromi.

The Governing Board of the National Library of Nigeria was also constituted.