By Jonathan Ugbal
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has reappointed Professor Akon Joshua as the acting Vice Chancellor of the State owned Cross River University of Technology.
Mr. Ayade is the visitor to the varsity and in a letter dated August 7, 2019, he conveyed his decision to reappoint Mrs. Joshua whose acting tenure ended that same day.
But, the reappointment was not without drama.
Mrs. Joshua had proceeded on a two weeks leave since there was no communication from the State and the Registrar, Mr. Gabriel Beshel was heading the management team temporarily.
However, this reporter gathered that she cut short her leave and has since resumed.
This is the first time the institution will have an acting Vice Chancellor and who is reapointed a second time.
“The law is simple, the Governing Council announces vacancy and selects the best performing candidates of whom one is selected and appointed in waiting and resumes the day the tenure of the serving Vice Chancellor exits office,” a senior management staff told this reporter on condition of anonymity.
But, the former Vice Chancellor, Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh was handed a two month extension by Mr. Ayade making him the longest serving VC at Five years and two months.
Vice Chancellors serve a five year single tenure according to the law setting up the Varsity and an agreement reached by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
And, after the council appointed an acting Vice Chancellor, Mr. Ayade invalidated the exercise and appointed Mrs. Joshua for an acting term of three months.
But, he dissolved the Governing Council which is charged with the responsibility of advertising the position which CrossRiverWatch gathered had learnt credence to rumors that he will subsequently confirm Mrs. Joshua.