Kano Government Demands Apology From American University

The Kano State Government has demanded an apology from the management of an American university, East Carolina University (ECU), over a controversial ‘appointment’ to Governor Abdullah Ganduje as a visiting professor of e-governance and International Affairs in the institution.

The state government also asked the university to sanction Victor Mbarika, a lecturer of International Center for IT and Development at the school, who communicated the ‘appointment’ to Mr Ganduje on November 30.

Before now, the chief press secretary of Kano State governor, Abba Anwar, told journalists on Tuesday that his principal was appointed by the university through a letter communicated to him by Mr Mbarika.

The ECU has however denied the claims saying the letter Mr Ganduje got from a member of its faculty was unauthorised.

The school said; “It has been brought to my attention that you received a letter from a faculty member dated November 30, 2020, that appeared to offer an unpaid appointment in the “International Center for IT and Development” at East Carolina University College of Business.

“I must inform you that the letter you received from Dr. Victor Mbarika, on November 30, 2020 does not convey an authorized offer of appointment or establish any position of scholar or professor at East Carolina University (“ECU”). Only the Chancellor, myself, or another official identified in ECU’s published statement on Delegation of Contracting Authority for the Division of Academic Affairs may authorize or sign appointment letters under which faculty are employed.”

Many Nigerians on social media attacked Mr Ganduje for not properly verifying the ‘appointment’ given to him before addressing the press.

The state government got angry over the embarrassment, and called on ECU to punish its official for “attempting to embarrass the governor and the good people of Kano state.”

The government in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Usman Alhaji, said they were saddened by the uproar stirred up by this controversial appointment that attempted to embarrass Mr Ganduje.

He maintained that Mr Ganduje did not solicit appointments in any university or institution of higher learning within and outside Nigeria.