There is disquiet at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, over an alleged shady recruitment process which recently produced the bursar and did not follow the laid down rules of the institution....CONTINUE READING
Sources alleged that the appointment of Ortese Tyoule Simon, as the bursar was in disregard of the established Federal Government Financial Regulations in Section 1709….CONTINUE READING
The section states inter-Alia that “the staff of the Internal Audit shall not be employed within the ministry, extra-ministerial office, and other arms of government, on accounting duties. Furthermore, an officer shall be precluded from taking up the duties of Internal Audit staff if he has previously been engaged on accounting duties within the ministry, extra-ministerial office and other arms of government.”
But it was learnt that Ortese was a Deputy Director in the Audit Unit of the institution which falls contrary to both internal and guidelines for the appointment of Bursar of the university.
Also a civil society, Save Nigeria Movement, called for a review of the process, adding that the university failed to follow the due process because of entrenched interests of some elements.
The SNM, through its lawyer, Barrister T.D. Sorkaa, in a letter to the governing council of the institution and copied to relevant authorities, threatened legal action, if the process was not reviewed in 14 days.
Parts of the letter dated 5th May, 2023 read, “The position of Bursar, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State was advertised in Daily Trust Newspaper on the 13th day of December, 2022 with emphasis that all applicants must have been a Deputy Bursar for at least 5 years with regards to experience acquired.
“Among many applicants who applied, only five (5) were shortlisted for the final interview for the position of Bursar, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State amongst whom was one Ortese Tyoule Simon; a Deputy Director in the Audit Unit, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State who was eventually announced as the Bursar, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State on the 18th day of February, 2023 after interview of all applicants on the 16th day of February, 2023.
“Dr. John Ujo David; Registrar, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State misled the Governing Council on the points of facts and extant Financial Regulations and foisted his stooge from the audit unit against section 1709 of the Financial Regulations. Mr Ortese who was not qualified to even apply for the job was eventually and unfortunately appointed as the Bursar, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State. Moreover, our client states that Ortese Tyoule Simon have never been Deputy Bursar in his entire career but rather a Deputy Director in the Audit unit as there was no provision for any equivalent aside the clear requirement of a “Deputy Bursar” with at least 5 years experience which other applicants possessed except Mr Ortese who eventually was announced as bursar, Joseph Sarwuan Tarkaa university of Agriculture Makurdi.
“We hereby demand on behalf of our client the review of the entire process leading to the appointment of Ortese Tyoule Simon as Bursar, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State within 14 days upon receipt of our legal correspondence.
“We also demand for the Minutes of Meeting of Screening and interview of all Applicants into the Office of Bursar, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State as provided for under the Freedom of Information Act within fourteen (14) days upon receipt of our legal correspondence. We further demand for the Report of the Governing Council on the recruitment process and Curriculum Vitae (CV) of all applicants into the Office of Bursar, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State as provided for under the Freedom of Information Act within fourteen (14) days upon receipt of our legal correspondence.”
The civil society copied the Minister of Education as well as the National Assembly committees on education and other relevant authorities in their letter, calling for an intervention at the institution….CONTINUE READING
