The immediate past Registrar\Chief Executive of the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Professor Josiah Ajiboye, has debunked the claim that he was sacked by President Bola Tinubu and replaced with a new appointee, describing the claim as a blatant lie.
Ajiboye, a professor of Social Studies and Environmental Education at the University of Ibadan (UI), announced that he voluntarily resigned from his position with the TRCN, effective August 30, 2024, after eight years of service, and that he was not dismissed.
He maintained that the sacked media report, titled: “Tinubu Sacks Top Government Official, Appointed Replacement,” was figment of imagination of the writer and should be ignored in its entirety.
He said he too would not have bothered responding to the “fake news” but have to do so to set the record straight and not to confuse the public.
While demanding immediate pull down of the published article from the internet and the writer to tender a public apology, Ajiboye threatened to drag the writer and his or her media outlet to court for character damaging if they chose to ignore the demand.
According to him, “I resigned my appointment as TRCN registrar effective from August 30th, 2024, after I had served the agency meritoriously for eight years and I had also since September 1st, 2024, returned to the University of Ibadan where I was appointed from to continue with my work.
Nigerian Tribune sighted a copy of the letter from the Federal Ministry of Education acknowledging his resignation and official handing-over.
The letter with reference number: SAF.36/S.440/T2/16, dated October 11th, 2024 and signed by Dr U. C. Uba, director, Colleges of Education Department in the ministry on behalf of the minister, read in part,
“I am directed to ackowledge the reciept of your letter dated 30th August 2024 and I wish to express my sincere appreciation for your dedication and remarkable service to our nation in the capacity of Registrar\Chief Executive for an unbroken eight years.
“Your leadership and commitment to your duties have significantly contributed to the progress and achievements of TRCN, strengthening the standards of teachers registration and professional conduct in the teacher education in Nigeria.
“Your achievements are commendable, and your legacy will undoubtedly inspire continued excellence within the council.
“I have noted your formal handover of the council’s affairs to Dr Stella-Maria Nwokeocha, the most senior director pending the appointment of a substantive registrar.
“While wishing you the best in your future endeavours, please accept the assurances of honourable minster’s warm regards.”
Meanwhile, a new substantive registrar, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, has just been appointed by President Tinubu for the agency
She was appointed nine months after Ajiboye’s resignation.
Ronke, who until her appointment was the Senior Special Adviser on Education, Science and Technology to the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, just assumed office on Monday.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE