By Chiebuka Enwerem

IN line with the understanding reached during a recent advisory visit to the Executive Secretary and Management of the National Universities Commission, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong inaugurated, on 3rd September, 2015, a new Governing Council for the Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, under the Chairmanship of Professor Attahiru M. Jega, OFR.

In his welcome remarks, Governor Lalong said that the inauguration of the Governing Council was significant because it highlighted his Government’s resolve to use education as a potent tool for the emancipation of the citizenry. He recalled that in his campaign promises and subsequent inauguration address, he had declared that the PLASU had no business with the toddler state of existence that it had found itself, especially on account of the incessant interference in the administration of the University, the result of which was its inability to enjoy any growth beyond its take off, or get accreditation for its programmes or even graduate students, ten years after its establishment.

Governor Lalong noted, with regret, that the institution, which started very well with the active support of the Executive Secretary of NUC in 2005, had seen only one, out of four Vice-Chancellors, complete his tenure. This was in spite of the recommendations and the interventions of high-powered Committees of the NUC, led by Professor Chiedu Mafiana and Emeritus Professor Peter Adeniyi, respectively.

The Governor renewed the determination of the Plateau State Government to reposition the University and guarantee academic freedom, through the provision of adequate finance.