PAAU Management Rejects Tribalism Claims Against VC, Insists Appointments Reflect Merit and Balance
The management of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, has fired back at a viral social media post by one Farouk Ozigi Onimisi alleging ethnic favoritism in the early appointments of the new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, describing the claims as frivolous, divisive, and baseless distractions designed to derail the administration’s focus barely a month into its tenure.
In a statement, the university expressed deep concern over the post but emphasized that it would ordinarily not dignify such inciting rumours with a response; however, for institutional clarity and the public record, it has chosen to set the facts straight on all direct appointments made by the VC, stressing that this would be the first and last time addressing such unfounded allegations aimed at undermining balanced leadership.
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Professor Usman’s administration, guided by a pragmatic philosophy of solving problems “irrespective of who, when, or how they were created” rather than lamenting them, has prioritized staff and student welfare from day one, most notably resolving the seven-year payroll limbo for staff employed since 2018 through swift coordination with Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, who approved their inclusion effective March 2026, eliciting widespread gratitude from the affected workers and underscoring a commitment to fairness far removed from sectional interests.
The VC’s track record as Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic further dismantles notions of tribal bias, where his inclusive, detribalized reforms fostered stability, growth, and welfare, leading to one of the institution’s most celebrated handovers amid cheers from diverse staff and students, with many professionals voluntarily transferring to PAAU in an unprecedented show of trust that labels of tribalism against such a unifying figure as not just unfortunate but mischievous.
For absolute transparency, the management detailed the VC’s direct appointments to date, which reflect broad representation across Kogi’s senatorial zones: Professor Sanni Momoh (Okene LGA, Kogi Central), a former Deputy VC, succeeded Professor William Onogu (Igalamela/Odolu LGA, Kogi East) as Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies; Mr. Rock Adeiza Ezekiel Adeiza (Okehi LGA, Kogi Central) replaced Mr. Sunday Salihu (Adavi LGA, Kogi Central) as Director, ITRC; Mr. Abdulmalik Adinoyi (Okene LGA, Kogi Central) became Pioneer Transport Officer from the Works Department; Dr. Kizitto Eneye (Okehi LGA, Kogi Central) took over as Director, Central Laboratory, from Professor Patrick Adejoh Ataja (Dekina LGA, Kogi East), who shifted to Director of Academic Planning and Development succeeding Professor Ajayi on sabbatical at Federal University Lokoja; Professor Ken Enejo (Ibaji LGA, Kogi East) was elevated to Director, Centre for Pre-Degree and Diploma Studies (CPDS), replacing Professor Ukase (Benue State) now at Federal University Lokoja; Mr. Segun Suleiman (Ajaokuta LGA, Kogi Central) became Deputy Director, CPDS, succeeding Professor Ken Enejo; Dr. Samuel Sheneni Shekpe (Bassa LGA, Kogi East) was named Chairman, e-Examination, replacing Mallam Haruna Muhammad Muftawu (Okene LGA, Kogi Central); Mrs. Uredo Omale (Ankpa LGA, Kogi East) succeeded Father Damian Damian (Ankpa LGA) as Public Relations Officer; Mr. Emmanuel Onuh (Olamaboro LGA, Kogi East) filled the vacancy left by Mr. Aurelius Adejoh (Olamaboro LGA) as Chief Security Officer; Dr. Agih Abdul (Ankpa LGA, Kogi East), a former Students’ Union Government President, replaced Mrs. Rashidat Owuda (Okene LGA, Kogi Central) as Deputy Dean, Student Affairs; and Mr. Power Babaniyi (Yagba East LGA, Kogi West) was appointed Pioneer Technical Assistant to the VC, with all other internal postings handled by departmental heads.
The management urged rumour mongers to desist from cherry-picking facts while ignoring this balanced context, warning that such selective narratives could ignite needless ethnic tensions in PAAU’s diverse academic community long defined by collaboration, as Professor Usman remains committed to steering the university through merit, equilibrium, and collective progress.
Signed:
University Management
Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba
