EDSU Debunks Misleading Information
By Simeon OSAJIE
The attention of the Management of Edo State University Uzairue has been drawn to the misleading information by the Edo Forum for Educational Standards and Advancement as published in some dailies and online dated 29th and 30th November, 2024 raising concerns about the leadership of the University, as regards to the tenure of Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dawood Egbefo.
The forum, through its Chairman Moses Omagbon and Secretary Zuberu Alemoh, alleged that Professor Egbefo’s tenure, which they claim ought to have ends on December 1st, 2024, has been marred by misconduct and that the University is facing a critical leadership crisis. These claims are misleading and designed to tarnish the reputation of the University.
In a press statement signed by the University’s Public Relation Officer (PRO), Amaechi Kelly Quincy stated that the misleading information by the group maybe capable of disrupting the smooth running of the academic session of the 2024/2025 of the University as all the faculties and staff are fully responsible for impacting knowledge and instill endearing virtues on the students or destroyed the already good image attainted as world class institution.
“The University’s operation are carried out with the utmost professionalism”.
He further stated that Prof. Dawood Egbefo remains the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University as stated in a communique issued on Nov 6th at the end of an extraordinary Governing Council meeting following the alleged suspension of Prof. Dawood Omolumen Egbefo as the acting VC by the Council’s chairman, Prof Emeritus Thomas Okpo Audu and the purported appointment of Prof M.J.E Evbogbai as Acting Vice Chancellor.
According to him, in the communique, the Governing Council unanimously affirmed that no decision was ever made by the Council members to suspend Prof. Dawood Egbefo appointed by the Visitor. That Prof. Dawood Egbefo remained the legitimate AVC of Edo State University Uzairue as confirmed in a letter dated May 31st, 2024 from the Ministry of Education.
The communique also stated that the Governing Council does not have any authority to appoint or suspend any Acting Vice Chancellor or Vice Chancellor of the University but only make recommendations to the visitor through the Commissioner for Education should such action be deemed necessary therefore directed Prof. MJE Evbogbai to stop parading himself as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University as his appointment was not recognized by the governing council as it was made without the council’s approval.
The PRO therefore wondered why some faceless group or forum would try to cause unnecessary crisis and tension thereby misleading the general public with unfounded story about the University that is very peaceful and academic activities smoothly going on.
He said Pro.f Dawood Egbefo’s integrity since his appointment as Acting Vice Chancellor has improved staff productivity as he has managed the affairs of the University with the highest level of integrity, adhering to all established rules and regulations of the University adding that his leadership has received a vote of confidence from both the Senate and the congregation of the University.
While calling on the relevant authority to as a matter of dedication, professionalism and leadership qualities confirm Prof. Dawood Omolumen Egbefo as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the University to put a stop to the misleading information capable of ridicule the already existing good image of the institution, however thanked the general public for their continued support and urged them to disregard the unfounded claims made by any faceless group or forum concerning the alleged suspension of Prof. Dawood Egbefo as Acting Vice Chancellor.
