The minister of education Malam Adamu Adamu has stressed the need for the newly inaugurated governing councils of eight polytechnics and six colleges of education not to only identify their functions, powers and privileges as a Council, but also know the limits of such powers and how best to avoid situations of conflict in discharging your duties.

I want to, particularly, draw your attention to the provisions of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007. Prior to the enactment of this Act, the Governing Councils of Tertiary institutions were responsible for procurement matters, through the Council’s Tenders Board. However, with PPA 2007, the Chief Executives of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS) took over the responsibility for procurement matters. Thus, in the Polytechnics the Rectors and his/her Management are responsible for procurement while in the Colleges of Education, the Provosts and his/her Management teams are in charge of procurement. The Chief Executive is, however, expected to brief the Governing Councils regularly on all procurements, as it is done on all financial and other matters. All Chairmen and Members of the Governing Councils need to take due cognisance of this, as it had, in the past, led to unnecessary frictions between the Councils and Managements of some Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

He said in his speech at the inauguration on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the minister. the persons selected to chair or serve as members of the various Councils are expected to be experienced men and women of proven integrity who are, not only knowledgeable in Polytechnic and Colleges of Education affairs but also familiar with the policy options of Government in the, Nigerian tertiary Education System.”

He pointed that the persons were selected through rigorous assessment and found to be worthy for the exalted appointments

Your choice for this important assignment is a testimony of your records of successful endeavours in the past, either in your private or public capacity. You stand among Nigerians who have recorded tremendous achievements in life, and have garnered vast experiences which you are now willing to deploy in the service of our father land.

He stated in his speech

The governing council are expected to serve for three years from the date of inauguration. Thus were charged to familiarise themselves with the specific law establishing your institution as well as with other relevant laws of the Federation.