New VC, Plateau State University, Prof. Shedrack Best
Caleb Mutfwang, the governor of Plateau State, approved the appointment of Prof. Shedrack Best, a former secretary to the state government, as the next vice chancellor of the state university situated in the state’s Bokkos Local Government Area.
Shortly after the governor dismissed Prof. Bernard Matur, the former VC, and four other heads of the state-owned higher institutions, the appointment was made.
The appointment of the new VC was disclosed in a statement signed by Samuel Jatau, the Secretary to the State Government, and dated February 7, 2024.
The statement noted that the governor also appointed four new heads for the state-owned tertiary institutions including the College of Education, Gindiri, with a former chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at the University of Jos, Dr. Lazarus Maigoro, as the new Provost.
The statement read, “His Excellency, the Executive Governor Caleb Mutfwang has approved the appointment of the following heads of tertiary institutions in the state. They are Professor Shedrack, Vice Chancellor, Plateau State University, Bokkos; Dr. Clement Chairman, Rector, Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi; Associate Professor Lazarus Maigoro, Provost, College of Education, Gindiri; Dr. Jonathan Bulus, Provost, College of Health Technology, Zawan; and Dr. Markus Avong, Provost, College of Health Technology, Pankshin.”
The statement added that all the appointments were with immediate effect.
It urged the new appointees to get started right away by examining the management-staff relationship and the schools’ revenue and expense streams in order to realign them for efficient service delivery.
The Plateau State University’s host town in Butura, however, has condemned the dismissal of Matur, the former vice chancellor of the institution, calling the governor’s decision illegal and detrimental to the university’s expansion.
In a statement released on Thursday and co-signed by Secretary Tabai Kawai and President Marshal Sule of Butura Youth, the host community urged the governor to reinstate the former VC right away, arguing that he had done nothing wrong to warrant his dismissal.
“For the sake of clarity and adherence to due process, it is imperative to reference the legal framework governing the removal of a Vice-Chancellor as stipulated in Section 3(8)-(11) of the Principal Act, duly amended. This provision vests the authority to remove the Vice-Chancellor in the Governing Council, subject to specific grounds such as gross misconduct or incapacity to fulfill the duties of the office.
“Importantly, the process outlined mandates a fair and transparent procedure, including the constitution of a Joint Committee of Council and Senate to investigate allegations and provide a platform for the accused to defend themselves. Any decision reached by the Council is subject to appeal to the Visitor, ensuring accountability and safeguarding the rights of all parties involved.
“None of these procedures were followed in removing Professor Matur as Vice Chancellor, and no reason was given except for what we have independently gathered to be connected to political differences,” the statement read.
It added that “this is in spite of the fact that the Butura nation overwhelmingly voted for the PDP in the elections that brought Barrister Mutfwang to power. In addition, the University is purely an academic institution governed by laws and professional experience not sentiments.
“After all, Professor Matur’s capacity in steering the University towards academic excellence and institutional growth, including fostering a harmonious relationship with the host community is not in doubt.”
