Juliana Bitrus, Borno State Commissioner of Health, has issued a query to the Provost, College of Nursing and Midwifery, Rukaiya Mustapha, for suspending some students who failed to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari paid an official visit to Maiduguri on June 17.
Bitrus described the provost’s action as mischievous and against Borno State Government.
The commissioner lamented Mustapha acted without recourse to any official at her supervising ministry.
The query with reference number MOH/PER/752 V.I is dated June 25, 2021.
Bitrus demanded that the provost responds within 48 hours.
The commissioner said while Borno has about eight state-owned tertiary institutions, it was curious that only the students of one were punished.
Bitus added that though it is normal for students to welcome visiting Presidents, such acts are voluntary.
The student of the college was given a letter of suspension from the college.
The letter reads, “You are hereby suspended from the college for one week with effect from today 21st June 2021 for disobedience of executive order to welcome the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, GCON (on the 17th of June 2021)
“You are expected to report back to college on the 28th of June 2021 along with your parent or guardian.”
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum had urged residents to show appreciation to President Buhari during his visit.
In a statewide broadcast, the governor gave reasons the people of the state should honour the President when he arrived in Maiduguri.
Ahead of his election in 2015, Buhari promised to defeat Boko Haram, but six years into his government, that promise has not been fulfilled.
In February 2020, residents of the state booed the President as his convoy drove in and left Maiduguri, Borno State, during a condolence visit.
The residents were heard shouting in Hausa, “Bama so, ka bamu a kunya.” Meaning “We don’t want you because you have disappointed us.” However, Buhari, during his recent visit to Borno, said he was committed to serving Nigerians as a result of the love shown to him.
