Pantami not a professor; his FUTO appointment illegal: ASUU
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has deemed the appointment of Isa Pantami, Nigeria’s minister of communications, by the Federal University of Technology Owerri as a professor as illegal.
The stance was made known at a press conference by ASUU president Emmanuel Osodeke on Monday following the union’s national executive council meeting.
“You cannot be a minister and a lecturer in a university. It is an encouragement of illegality,” Mr Osodeke said. “Pantami has to quit as a minister and be tried for doing double jobs within the same federal system. He is not qualified. Pantami should not be treated as a professor.”
The declaration by the union came after an independent panel was set up last November to look into Mr Pantami’s professorial appointment.
Peoples Gazette had in September reported that Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara placed commercials in newspapers congratulating Mr Pantami on his promotion to a professor of cybersecurity, resulting in backlash and criticisms from academia.
In documents seen by The Gazette, Mr Pantami said he accepted the role of professor of cybersecurity on the instruction of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“This decision is sequel to my briefing to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Friday, March 26, 2021, and his permission for me to go ahead and share my knowledge and experience in the academia, which is a form of community service to our citizens,” Mr Pantami said.
Mr Pantami had accepted the position at the Imo-based institution before it had been formally offered to him, based on the reported documents. The Islamic cleric accepted the position in March. However, the appointment letter offering the professorship post to Mr Pantami has August 20 as its date.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Health
Health insurance enrollees seek improved services, decry cumbersome process
Subscribers/enrollees complained of nonchalant treatment by accredited hospitals.
Faith
Catholic priest seeks end to practice making widows swear on husbands’ corpses
‘‘The church does not oppose culture, but seeks to integrate the beautiful aspects of African culture.’’
States
Passengers lament rising transportation fares in Ilorin amid fuel scarcity
Fare from Olunlade to Offa Garage which used to be N100 is now N200.
States
No candidate imposition in upcoming Ebonyi LG poll, says governor Nwifuru
Mr Nwifuru made the pledge during a church service at the Government House Chapel.
NationWide
Umahi gets presidential directive on urgent design for Sokoto-Badagry coastal highway
Mr Umahi expressed happiness that Mr President directed him to immediately effect the design of the proposed highway.
World
Same-sex lovers face hard times in Iran as parliament okays 15-year jail term for offenders
‘‘The law serves as a preventive measure to protect society from such acts.’’