Taraba State University has expelled one of its students, Joseph Israel, for reportedly criticising the state governor, Governor Darius Ishaku, on social media. Isreal who is a 100 level student from the Department of Laboratory Science, has been critical of Governor Ishaku’s administration via posts on his Facebook profile Joseph Israel. See some of his posts on Facebook below:
I know His Excellency Architect Darius Dickson Ishaku as a Scholar, but what I don’t understand is his Refusal and Negligence of His Excellency in Promoting Excellence in Taraba State, Insteadof Spending Billions to expand the Airport he should expand the Taraba State University and Make it an International University, a World Class University, a Citadel of Learning that The Whole World would look at, He should Expand The Other State Owned Tertiary Institutions Like the College of Education Zing, College of Agriculture Jalingo, Taraba State Polytechnic Suntai and the Taraba State College of Health Technology Takum.
His Excellency should Expand our Hospitals and Make them Better instead of the Jalingo Airport!
Your Excellency Sir Your Idea of Making The Jalingo Airport an International Airport is Needless and a Misplaced Priority at this Time, if we want to take International Flights we can go to Yola or Abuja, Pls Shelve That plan sir and Focus on Pressing needs and Issues!
I Pray for Your Success Your Excellency! Fatan Alheri!
Jalingo Taraba State
Good Morning Taraba
According to an email sent to Legit.ng by one Jen Jibrin, the university had earlier instituted a disciplinary committee against Israel over his numerous social media posts criticising Governor Ishaku and the vice-chancellor of the university. The committee, according to Jibrin, described his social media posts as inciting and politically motivated.
A screenshot of the invitation letter sent to Israel by the disciplinary committee Source: UGC Israel reportedly asked the disciplinary committee if there was any law in the university that prohibits students from using social media as a platform for expressing their views on governance in the state but the committee kept mute. He was thereafter asked to go and wait until the investigation is concluded. However, on Monday, October 30, Israel’s admission was withdrawn. He was sent a letter titled Withdrawal of Provisional Admission Offer which was signed by the university’s deputy registrar, David Fwa, was sent to Israel. However, according to the letter, Isreal’s admission was withdrawn due to his failure to submit his filled Matriculation Oath to the Office of the Registrar. Read the letter below:
Withdrawal of Provisional Admission Offer letter sent to Israel Source: UGC Though the university stated that Israel’s admission was withdrawn because he failed to complete the registration process, there are strong indications, according to Jibrin, that Israel was expelled from the school based on the recommendation of the disciplinary committee regarding his anti-government posts on social media.