Staff, Students of Jos Medical Lab School Condemn Provost’s Third Term Bid

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

The embattled provost of the Federal School of Medical Laboratory Technology, Jos, Plateau State, Dr. Sunday Etukudoh, who was recently released on bail in Jos where he had been on detention over alleged financial crime, is currently under fire from the staff and students of the school over his attempt to return for a third tenure as provost.

The staff and students, who protested in Jos against Etukudoh’s plan, said the Federal Government of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 89 dated October 11, 2012 Vol. 89 is clear on the tenure of provost of the school. They stressed that no individual is allowed more than two tenures of four years each.

“Aside the fact that Etukudoh is facing financial crime allegations in court; he has completed two tenures of four years each as the provost of the college and is therefore not qualified for another term.”

The provost had allegedly threatened some of his staff that dared to challenge his intention for a third tenure; most of these staff are also key witnesses in the ongoing court case against him.

Also petitioning the Minister of Health on the matter, a Civil Society Organisation, League for Human Rights said: “We write on behalf of some senior staff of the Federal School of Medical Laboratory, Jos who have been on the receiving end of the activity of the provost, whose appointment took effect from May 27, 2008 for a four year tenure and which was renewed for a further four years in 2012 and ended on May 28, 2016.

“Even before his appointment he had acted for two years. It means he has been on the same seat for 10 years continually. This appointment was published in Federal Government of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 89 dated October 11, 2012 Vol. 89.”

The petition, signed by the Director of the CSO, Nankin Bagudu, accused Etukudoh of dividing the union into two factions; “he caused a faction to prepare a letter to be sent to you (minister) passing a vote of confidence on him. This we believe will allow him to continue in office for another four years. The letters are to be signed by a section of the management, a few students and a faction of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Federal School of Medical Laboratory Technology, Jos chapter.”

While urging the minister to take appropriate action on the matter, the petitioner said, “Etukudoh has resorted to open victimisation; this he did by setting up panel to try some lecturers, all against due process. He has resorted to the use of threats and intimidation and witch-hunting of staff perceived to be against him and who are not towing his path.

“He wants to stay at all cost to cover allegations of corruption and malpractices which is before a court of law prosecuted by the EFCC. Some acts of which include his tactics of employing staff and back dating it by two years and claiming their entitlements.”

Efforts to get Etukudoh to react failed as he was said to be in Abuja on official engagement.