American university speaks on rumour of appointing Gov Ganduje as professor

An American University, the East Carolina University (ECU), has finally spoken on the rumour of appointing the governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje, as a visiting full professor of e-governance and international affairs.

The school management denied appointing the governor as a visiting professor.

Newsflash247 had on Tuesday reported through Ganduje’s spokesman, Abba Anwar, that the governor has been appointed by East Carolina University (ECU), as a visiting full professor of e-governance and international affairs.

Mr Anwar disclosed that Mr Ganduje’s appointment was contained in a letter sent to him by the school dated November 30 where he was said to have been selected for his “accomplishment in good governance and genuine investment in human capital development.”

But the East Carolina University (ECU) denied appointing the governor as a visiting professor.

An American University said the letter Mr Ganduje got from a member of its faculty was unauthorised by the appropriate officials.

The university stated its official stance in a letter sent to the Kano governor which the university also shared with newsmen.

Newsflash247 earlier reported that the spokesperson of the governor, Abba Anwar, told journalists in Kano on Tuesday that the governor’s appointment was contained in a letter sent to him by the school through Victor Mbarika, a lecturer of International Center for IT and Development at East Carolina University College of Business on November 30.

The university confirmed that Mr Mbarika was its faculty member but said he had no authority to make such appointment.

Mr Ganduje was said to have been selected due to his “accomplishment in good governance and genuine investment in human capital development.”

The governor’s spokesperson also quoted the letter as saying that “Ganduje’s choice is a depiction of close monitoring of his achievements as a governor in the last couple of years. Which eventually earned him global recognition and commendation.”

“You have been a source of motivation to the Nigerian youths both at home and in the diaspora at large. We are amazed at your accomplishments both as the Executive Governor of Kano State, Nigeria; Fellow, National Association of Educational Administration and Planning, Nigeria; and your investment in Human Capital Development.

“Looking at your academic, administrative, and overall leadership record in Nigeria and Africa, you fit perfectly in East Carolina University’s goal to remain a leading research and teaching institution in the United States and beyond”, the statement quoted the letter as saying.

In an email sent to the university on Thursday asked if the institution did indeed appoint Mr Ganduje despite being caught on video in 2018 accepting bribe, Premium Times reports.

In response to our email, the university attached the letter it sent to Mr Ganduje. The letter was signed by its Interim Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, B. Grant Hayes.

“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. Dr. Mbarika is not such an official,” the official told Mr Ganduje.

Ganduje’s Gandollar Scandal

In 2018, Mr Ganduje was caught on video, taking kickbacks in dollars from a contractor in the state.

The video was published by Daily Nigerian with video authentication by Newsflash247 and the BBC.

Even though the reporter, Jafaar Jafaar, who sourced the video, defended its authenticity before the Kano State House of Assembly, Mr Ganduje frustrated the probe of the scandal. He secured a court injunction to stop the probe.

Mr Ganduje, as governor, enjoys constitutional immunity from prosecution for any crime.

The governor sought re-election on the platform of Nigeria’s ruling party, APC, in 2019 and was re-elected despite the bribery scandal.

When contacted on Friday about our findings, Mr Anwar did not respond by the time of filling this report.

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