ETUKODOH: STEER CLEAR OF FCMLST, JOS, OR FACE OUR WRATH — COALITION OF PLATEAU YOUTHS
By Peter Azi – Jos
There is growing agitation among youths in Plateau State over the alleged continued interference of the former Provost of the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology (FCMLST), Jos, Dr. Sunday Etukudoh, in the affairs of the institution despite the expiration of his tenure on August 7, 2026.
The embattled former Provost is alleged to have handed over to his deputy reluctantly and only partially following the expiration of his tenure, having served as Provost for nearly two decades.
The alleged handover was reportedly conducted informally and haphazardly, with claims that he continues to exert significant influence over the affairs of the institution.
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According to the Coalition of Plateau State Youths, management staff, including the Acting Provost, allegedly continue to receive instructions from the former Provost, who is also accused of failing to hand over the Office of the Provost, the official vehicle and other official property attached to the office.
The Coalition further alleged that the former Provost had continued to exercise undue control over the institution, creating the impression that it was his personal property.
Addressing a press conference in Jos, the Chairman of the Coalition of Plateau State Youths, Comrade Gujarhar Obed Isaih, called on Dr. Etukudoh to desist from interfering in the affairs of the institution and allow the current management to carry out its responsibilities.
The Coalition also alleged that, despite the expiration of his tenure, the former Provost returned to occupy his former office, which reportedly still bears the same inscription and other official symbols associated with the position.
It described the alleged conduct as not only unconstitutional but also a direct affront to the people of Plateau State and Nigerians at large.
“As youths with a conscience, we will not stand aloof and allow one individual to hold our future and that of generations yet unborn to ransom. We will equally not ignore the alleged injustice and the monumental corruption rearing their ugly heads in the institution,” the Coalition declared.
The group added that a good dancer should know when to leave the stage while the ovation is still loud, stressing that the former Provost should recognise that his tenure had ended and allow the institution to move forward.
The Coalition further alleged that Dr. Etukudoh was using some individuals and students to organise what it described as a questionable welcome-back event and end-of-year party in his honour.
It expressed concern over the alleged development, noting that the former Provost had previously been accused of stifling students’ participation in the governance of the institution by disbanding the Students’ Union Government and other forms of student unionism.
The Coalition’s Demands
The Coalition outlined the following demands:
- Immediate handover: The Minister of Health, Professor Ali Pate, the Minister of State for Health and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Kachollom Daju, should ensure that Dr. Etukudoh completes the handover process within two weeks.
- Accountability for college property: The former Provost should account for all the institution’s property entrusted to his care during his tenure.
- Effective leadership: If the Acting Provost is unwilling or unable to discharge the responsibilities of the office fully, he should step aside and hand over to the next most senior qualified officer in the institution to ensure smooth and proper administration.
- Possible protest: The Coalition warned that failure to meet its demands would leave it with no option but to picket the institution until the demands were addressed.
The Coalition urged the relevant authorities to intervene urgently to prevent further tension and ensure that the institution’s administration operates in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Efforts to reach Dr. Sunday Etukudoh for his comments proved abortive, as he neither answered the calls nor responded to the SMS messages sent to his phone as of the time of filing this report.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 21st, 2026
