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The Vice-Chancellor of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki, Prof Francis Idike, and other principal officers of the institution have been ordered to vacate their offices with immediate effect.
The order came on Friday after the state governor, David Umahi, assented to the amended law on the tenure of the university heads.
Umahi said having exhausted their eight-year tenure as stipulated in the amendment, the officers should bow out with immediate effect (with effect from today).
The governor expressed concern over the five-year, two tenure, as was enshrined in the law before its amendment, noting that a Vice Chancellor may develop brain drain within his 10 years in office.
He, however, stated that the amended law provides for the positions of deputy vice-chancellors, academics, as well as administration, which was in the old law, but was never implemented by the past administrations.
He added that the amended law also allows a vice chancellor to remain in office beyond 70 years.
Umahi also urged the institution’s management to find ways to reduce its outrageous staff strength to enable it meet up with the economic realities in the country.