Against the backdrop of the fanfare that greeted his resumption of office on the strength of a judgment by the National Industrial Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Professor Tamunoimim Michael Abbey, Rector of the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny has been ordered to immediately proceed on terminal leave.   

Prof. Abbey, who was appointed on Rector of the Polytechnic on Friday, February 23, 2018 for a five years non-renewable tenure that will expire on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, was ordered via a letter signed by the Registrar, Altina Boma-George, who is also the Secretary of the Polytechnic’s Governing Council, to proceed on a three months terminal that would culminate in his tenure’s end.

The said letter with reference number: FPOG/REG/002/VOL 2/99 dated 24^th November, 2022 and addressed to Prof. Tamunoimi Michael Abbey puts a lid on the five year turbulent tenure of the Professor of Physics who was sourced from the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State.

The letter, as sighted by Kristina Reports, which was copied to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, and Chairman of the Governing Council, Otunba Adedayo Adebayo, reads in part:

“PROVISIONAL APPROVAL TO PROCEED ON TERMINAL LEAVE

Pursuant to the provisions of the Public Service Rules No. 100238 and the Federal Polytechnic Act (as Amended) 2019 sections 8 (i), 6 (a-e) and 12(3) with regards to the expiration of your non-renewable five (5) years tenure as the Rector and Chief Executive of the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny Island, Rivers State;

I am directed by the Governing Council to write and formally request and inform you to proceed on your three (3) months terminal leave.

2. You may wish to kindly recall that you were appointed Rector on 23rd February, 2018 for a five (5) years non-renewable tenure that will expire on 22nd February, 2023. Therefore, the commencement of your terminal leave will be with effect from 23^rd November, 2022.

3. By this letter, and in line with the provision of both PSR and the Polytechnic Act your terminal leave takes effect from 23^rd November, 2022.

4. You are therefore requested to handover all Polytechnic properties in your possession to the most senior officer.

5. The Council wish to congratulate you for a successful tenure and wishes you goodwill in your future endeavours.”