By John Austin Unachukwu
Former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Nasarrawa State University and Chief of Staff to the Governor of Adamawa State, Prof. Maxwell Gidado, was last week appointed member of the Governing Council of the American University of Nigeria (AUN).
His appointment letter, signed by the founder of the university and former Vice-President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, reads: “In line with the regulations of the National Universities Commission, NUC, and pursuant to the powers vested in me by the bye-laws of the American University of Nigeria, 2020. I have the privilege to appoint you as a member of the Governing Council of the American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State, with effect from today, July 1, 2020 for an initial term of four (4) years.
“You were considered for this appointment because of your track record of achievements and impeccable character, which distinguished you as a beacon of excellence and role model for our institution. With your appointment to the AUN Governing Council, I hope to hasten the consolidation of the remarkably steady progress that has been recorded and help position the American University of Nigeria for even greater performance, growth and development.
“The responsibilities of the Governing Council are fluid and dynamic and are expected to evolve appropriately in line with the strategic drive of the university and the complexities of the operational environment.
“Notwithstanding this, however, the Governing Council of the American University of Nigeria would undertake, among many other responsibilities, the following tasks: The appointment of the principal officers of the university; general management of the affairs of the university such as the university’s property, finances; appointment, promotion and discipline of staff of the university on the advice of appropriate committees; to consider and approve the auditors report at the end of each academic year; consider and approve developmental and fiscal policies and goals of the university;
“Ensure adequate source of funds to the university through investment, fund raising, endowment, acceptance of donations and so on. Receive, consider, and approve annual budgets/estimate and audited accounts of the university from the Vice-Chancellor; manage the university’s investment.
Powers of the Governing Council to decide meaning of a statute: In the event of any doubt or dispute arising at any time as to the meaning of any provision of a statute, the matter may be referred to the Governing Council, who shall take such advice and make such decision thereof as they shall think fit.
“The decision of the governing council on any matter referred to them under this section shall be binding upon the authorities, faculty, staff and students of the university, and where any question as tot he meaning of any provision of a statute has been decided by the Council under this section, no question as to the meaning of that provision shall be subject to reviews by any court of law in Nigeria. Nothing in this sub-section shall affect any power of a court of competent jurisdiction to determine whether any provision of a Statute is wholly or partly void as being ultra vires or as being inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This section shall apply in relation to any doubt or dispute as to whether any matter is for the purposes of this Law, an academic or a non-academic issue. Consider any other issue(s) that may come under the purview of the Governing Council.”
Source: thenationonlineng.net