BREAKING: Federal Polytechnic Ekowe In Bayelsa Suspends Rector, Appoints Acting Head

The Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa, has suspended Rector Dr. Agbabiaka Lukman and appointed Dr. Timine Suoware as Acting Rector.

The decision was communicated in a letter dated October 9 and signed by the Polytechnic’s Governing Council Chairman, Dr. Baba Ajimi.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Suoware served as the Deputy Rector in charge of academics at the institution, which is situated along the banks of the River Nun in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa.

The letter states that the suspension and new appointment take immediate effect.

“I am directed by the 5th Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa State, to convey your appointment as the Acting Rector with immediate effect.

“The appointment is necessitated by the vacuum created due to the suspension of the Rector (Dr. Agbabiaka Lukman Adegoke) by the Governing Council, subject to the approval of the Hon. Minister of Education.

“As the Acting Rector, you are to perform the functions of the Chief Executive of the Polytechnic, responsible for the general management and operations of the institution, by providing academic leadership to the management and staff and reporting to the Governing Council in line with the provisions of the Polytechnic Act,” the letter read in part.

The current development comes after a mediatory meeting between the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the management and workers’ union, aimed at resolving a protracted labour dispute that had kept the polytechnic closed since July 11.

Following the minister’s intervention, the industrial dispute was settled, allowing academic activities to resume on October 6.

At the September 28 meeting, Alausa directed the Governing Council to establish a panel to investigate allegations of misconduct and violations of the Polytechnic Act, with a mandate to submit its findings within three weeks.

Subsequently, the Governing Council convened an emergency meeting on October 4, where it resolved to suspend Dr. Agbabiaka.