Rectorship: Don Petitions Education Minister Over KADPOLY Governing Council Infractions

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: A former, Head of Department of Crop Science, faculty of Agriculture, Kaduna state University, KASU) University and onetime Lecturer of Kaduna Polytechnic, KADPOLY, Professor Mohammed Sani Yahaya, has petitioned the Minister of Education over infractions of the Polytechnic act by the governing council of Kaduna Polytechnic.

The University Don is challenging the rationale for his non- invitation by the governing council for an interview for the vacant position of Rector of the institution after meeting the requirements thereby calling a redress and failure to do so, he may take the constitutional means to enforce justice and his rights .

The Professor of Agronomy made this known while addressing a Press Conference at NUJ Press Center, Kaduna on Tuesday, where he further said has has explored every amicable means to prevail on the authorities of the institution to rescind their decision, hence the need to also speak out.

He said ” The Kaduna Polytechnic Governing Council defied The Polytechnic Act by disqualifying a candidate who applied for the post of The Rector Kaduna Polytechnic on the grounds that he is a Professor teaching in a University, according to a petition written on January 20, 2022 by Prof. M. S. Yahaya asking the Polytechnic Governing Council to reconsider and rescind its decision in the interest of justice, fairness and the rule of law.”

” According to the petitioner ” a vacancy exists for the post of Rector Kaduna Polytechnic as advertised in The Daily Trust newspaper of Friday, September 3rd, 2021 and Prof. Mohammed Sani Yahaya put in his application on Tuesday, October 12th, 2021. However, he was not invited for the interview scheduled for the 11th and 12th January 2022 by the Kaduna Polytechnic Governing Council.

” The Registrar of the institution and Secretary to the Council informed Prof. Yahaya that the invitation for interview was not extended to him because the Governing Council has decided that a Professor is unqualified for the post of Rector and the disqualification was final and irreversible.”he added

“I have been illegally excluded from the interview for the Post of Rector Kaduna in a gross violation of my unalienable right and out of the four candidates that rose to the rank of Chief Lecturer in Kaduna Polytechnic; three including the Acting Rector of the institution were invited for the interview, while I was deliberately excluded. That was very unfair.” he said

“I believe I was also discriminated against on purpose in favour of a selected few candidates for the post of The Rector Kaduna Polytechnic while we are all equal in the sight of the law; this treatment is totally unfair.

“The petitioner presented facts and documents to substantiate the merit of his claims and objection to the decision of the Council. He further argued that the Governing Council should review and reverse its decision because it goes against the Polytechnic Act 2019.” he said

Professor Yahaya further said that ” has written personal appeal for the intervention of the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, His Royal Highness, The Emir of Zazzau, The Honorable Minister for Education, The Honorable Minister of Justice, The Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND, The Chairman, House Committee on Tertiary Education and Services, The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education and other influential individuals urging them to impress on the Council to do the right thing” he stated