The Governing Council of Federal University Wukari has appointed Prof. Benjamin Kefas, a biological brother to Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, as the new substantive Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
The council also approved the appointment of Dr. Temboge Andrew as the University’s new Librarian.
A statement by the Acting Director of Information and Protocol, Mrs. Agya Ashu, on Tuesday, said the appointments were approved at a meeting held on Monday at the Secretariat of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities in Abuja.
The appointments follow the expiration of the five-year tenure of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jude Sammani Rabo, and Librarian Dr. Isa Sidi Attahir. Mrs. Ashu said the handing-over ceremony for the Vice-Chancellor would take place at the same venue on Tuesday.
The appointment of Prof. Kefas has sparked controversy, with petitions submitted to the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission by some stakeholders from southern Taraba, alleging possible undue influence in the selection process.
However, sources at the Secretariat of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors dismissed the claims, assuring that the process was conducted transparently and independently.
Over 30 candidates applied for the Vice-Chancellor position, with four shortlisted, all from southern Taraba. For the Librarian role, two candidates applied, with Dr. Andrew eventually appointed.
The interviews for both positions were conducted on Monday, leading to the official approval of the appointments later that day.
