Category: Saturday Magazine

• Says strict upbringing saved her from becoming drug addict
• Recalls memorable encounter with first female VC Alele-Williams

Prof. Lilian Imuetinyan Salami is the 10th Vice-chancellor of the University of Benin, and the second female Vice-Chancellor of the university after Prof Grace Alele-Williams, the first female Vice-Chancellor in the university and in Nigeria. In this interview with Southsouth Bureau Chief, BISI OLANIYI, Prof Salami speaks about the hostility she experienced upon her appointment, how the “Japa” syndrome can be eradicated and other issues of national interest.

WAS your growing up rosy?

I am the eldest of 18 children in a huge family of the late Mr. Benjamin Idemudia Emovon and the late Mrs. Alice Omoariagbon Emovon. I was born in Jos, Plateau State 67 years ago. I did my first few years of primary education in Jos. But with the outbreak of the civil war, we the children were relocated to Benin City. So, I completed my primary education in Benin City and also attended secondary school there before I moved to the United States of America (USA) where I did my first and second degrees: B.Sc. in Home Economics and M.Sc. in Nutrition.

I returned to Nigeria and moved to the then University of Ife in Ile-Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Osun State to teach, after which I moved to the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), with a teaching career of about 10 years, after which I relocated to the University of Benin (UNIBEN). I have spent almost all the remaining years in UNIBEN, save about three years between 2016 and 2019 when I stepped out and became the Director-General/Chief Executive of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), Ondo City in Ondo State, which is a Federal Government owned institution.

How was your stay at NIEPA?

When I got to NIEPA, there were problems, as could be found in every normal institution. I was the first non-indigenous director-general/chief executive of the institute, but I was determined to make a mark. So I did everything possible to rewrite the narrative of NIEPA, which I repositioned, and I got so close to the indigenes of Ondo City. Within two months, I was honoured with a chieftaincy title in Ondo City by the Osemawe of Ondo, because of the works that I did at NIEPA. Everyone was quite impressed. The Osemawe of Ondo even said that my tenure was the first time they had peace at NIEPA, without any intervention.

I also had a good working relationship with the former Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, in my determination to rebuild NIEPA, which was a learning ground for me in terms of administration. I am surprised to hear that the institute is now having crisis.

Then you became the Vice-Chancellor of UNIBEN…

I was lucky to be appointed the 10th substantive Vice-Chancellor of UNIBEN on October 26, 2019, while I assumed office on December 2, 2019, for five-year non-renewable tenure. My appointment as UNIBEN’s vice-chancellor came after a thorough and tough interview process. We were 31 that applied for the job.

What are the values you got from your parents?

Hard work and being very strict. Those who grew up at my time in Jos would confirm that there was a woman with Opel Record, one of the best cars in those days. But my mother would keep a cane by her side as she was driving, acting like the mother of all the children in Jos. The children who had earlier encountered her would start running to their homes, while the children who had never encountered her and playing away their precious time climbing trees would be thoroughly flogged by her, and they would carry their bags and run away. She would always say women must be mothers to all the children. Some parents would bring their children to my mother for punishment when they did something bad in their schools. My siblings always say that I am a replica of our mother, because I do not give my children any room for nonsense. My mother was very strict, and I thank God for that.

I got to the United States of America as a teenager. While my roommates were smoking opium, now called heroin, they would give to me, but I insisted on not smoking it because of my mother. It was always as if her cane was waiting for me.

While my siblings and I were returning home on holidays, our mother would send her housekeepers home, for us to work, and we would do everything. As a teenager, I learnt from my mother how to sew clothes. She would cut the cloths and ask me to sew everything, which she would insist on wearing the same evening. At times, I could be nasty with the sewing. I would sew it wrongly or turn it upside down, but she would ask me to loose everything and resew. But my father was her exact opposite. He was very gentle. I grew up in a very strict environment.

On your return from NIEPA to UNIBEN as Vice-Chancellor, did you not meet a hostile environment?

I wouldn’t say nearly hostile environment. But having competed with 30 other equally qualified persons, with 29 of them actually resident here (UNIBEN), we were all hopeful. But when it did not get to some persons, questions were asked. But not for so long, as some of them were appointed into positions, and they had to accept the fact that there could only be one vice-chancellor at a time.

How did it feel to be the 10th substantive and second female Vice-Chancellor of UNIBEN after the late Prof. Grace Alele-Williams?

Sometimes I asked myself whether it was actually true. But it was true. My appointment as vice-chancellor was applauded within and outside Nigeria, because that was after 35 years of the late Prof. Grace Alele-Williams being UNIBEN’s vice-chancellor. She was a wonderful woman. I watched her from afar, and got a little bit close to her before her demise.

Stepping into the shoes of the great and strong woman made many people to ask if I would be able to surpass her achievements. I needed to prove that I could do like her, if not much better. She said to me that she was always praying for me to succeed and surpass her achievements.

What did you learn from her?

Not only was the late Prof. Grace Alele-Williams committed to her job, she was a very stern person in terms of decisions. The first time I met her, I said to her “wonderful woman,” in view of her good works in UNIBEN. But she stated that she was not sure I would have liked her, as I was then at UNIMAID. That is how blunt she was. She also said she never took nonsense from anyone. She was honest, dedicated and passionate about what she was doing. She was ready to crush anything that stood in the way of her achievements.

UNIBEN has two campuses at Ugbowo and Ekehuan/Ekewuan/Ekenwan, both in Benin City. On assuming office, you were accused of felling the big trees at Ugbowo Campus at a time of global campaigns for afforestation. You were also accused of neglecting the campus the university started from while concentrating your development and transformation efforts on the main campus at Ugbowo. How would you react to these allegations?

The Ugbowo campus of UNIBEN has more trees. The Ekehuan campus is more serene in terms of plants and trees. Some of the trees were so old. There was a particular big tree that fell in the Faculty of Social Sciences of UNIBEN and destroyed five vehicles, because some of the trees were as old as some of the buildings here, which are crying for renovation and refurbishing. Imagine the trees that had stayed for over 50 years of UNIBEN’s existence, thereby creating dirt instead of the ambience that we needed. So, they had to give way. The replanted trees are now grown trees.

The critics, who felt that I was against the green energy drive by cutting trees, must acknowledge the fact that UNIBEN is now so green and very beautiful. We do not celebrate mediocrity in UNIBEN. We have quality lecturers and other staff in the great citadel of learning. The students and members of the alumni association are also wonderful. We are also being supported by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and other friends of the university.

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You spoke about quality lecturers in UNIBEN. But there are cases of randy male lecturers sexually harassing female students, many of whom also dress seductively. How are you tackling the challenge?

We are humans. So, you cannot have 100 per cent toeing your line. We are bound to have some of these deviants. We have clearly stated to our students and staff members that this administration has zero tolerance for education corruption. We will not tolerate sexual harassment. We have policies in place for gender equity  which also frown at sexual harassment. Anyone who goes contrary to that will face the law, which is so clear in UNIBEN. We had two cases that served as deterrent to others. We have also told our students to speak up, because we are not magicians to know what is happening in their little corners if they do not tell us the story.

Since I came on board, we have had a hotline tagged “See Something, Say Something”. That is still on, and the Vice-Chancellor responds to it 24 hours. We also have dress code in UNIBEN. The university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, champions it. Not all the students will want to adhere to the dress code. To a great extent, we do not see the students going with skimpy clothes. We also want to thank some of our lecturers, who would not allow skimpily-dressed students into their classes but always send them out to dress properly.

A lot of parents must also do due diligence from their homes. You do not expect us to change an adult that is already 18 years old even though we are getting them much younger now. We are trying as much as we can to protect our young students and lecturers.

UNIBEN was notorious for cultism, which you tackled head on when you assumed office. Why are there still cases of cultism at the two campuses of the university?

While coming on board as the vice-chancellor of UNIBEN, it was one of the things that I also had in mind, especially how to tackle the menace. It was one major problem that the late Prof. Grace Alele-Williams had to face as vice-chancellor, and he tackled it head on. We still have pockets of cult groups, but not as bad as some people may want to project. Security men on campus and the security agencies have brought the situation under control. Examinations are ongoing, and everywhere is quiet. We have tight security on our two campuses.

What of examination malpractices, sorting through sex, cash or other gift items, and admission racketeering in UNIBEN?

We cannot be 100 per cent proof. Anytime those things happen, we always tackle them head on after thorough investigations. We do not hesitate to rusticate or dismiss the errant students.

Fraudsters are mostly behind admission racketeering, but security agencies are on top of it. We always advise members of the public that we do not sell admission in UNIBEN, but sometimes, they still fall prey to some of these desperate tricksters and notorious groups in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria, with some of them apprehended by security agents and monies refunded. Gradually, members of the public are becoming more sensitive to the fact that admissions are not sold in UNIBEN. Sorting is also not allowed in this university. This administration has zero tolerance for any form of education corruption.

How can human capital flight/brain drain, now popularly referred to as “Japa,” be reduced or stopped outright in Nigeria, in order not to continue to lose the best hands and well-trained professionals, almost in all fields of human endeavour?

Institutions of higher learning, including UNIBEN, are the mirror of the larger society. Educational funding is a major problem in Nigeria. In a better environment, you will excel. I schooled abroad and in Nigeria, and I know the difference. Professionals and other people relocating abroad for greener pastures know that there are better chances of doing better and earning better, as well as more conducive living. Lecturers in Nigeria work round the clock, but are being paid little. In overseas, you can put in less hours of work and you are paid more. Of course, you will take the better offer. Many professionals in Nigeria are getting frustrated. We cannot continue like this.

The way out is to have a change of mind. We are hopeful that things and salaries will improve, the environment will be safer, and we will have more equipment to work with.

The student-to-lecturer ratio must also improve. There are lecturers who teach up to 6,000 students in a class, and they have to mark the scripts manually, but they are not paid commensurate to the hard work that they put in. The likelihood will be for them to relocate overseas where they can teach 50 students in a class and get paid more. Let us be hopeful that things will change for the better.

You are the Chairperson, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities; the Vice-President, Association of African Universities; and a holder of the Oganete of Igarra Land chieftaincy title in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State. How do you cope in the midst of mostly men, who can be very critical of your activities?

I have done the learning process in UNIBEN. So, it is not as bad. A typical African man is the man who must be the head, and must be heard. But we are beginning to shift a little, as women executives are getting the rightful positions and the right respect that they deserve, as much as such respect should also be given to the men.

I am even being overpampered by the men that I am closely working and relating with in the committees, groups and associations in Nigeria, Africa and beyond. Igarra’s eminent monarch and other progressive indigenes of the ancient town are also very wonderful and so supportive.

You are well travelled, as a fellow of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (FNSN) and the International Federation of Home Economics (IFHE). In your frequent travels within and outside Nigeria, doesn’t the home front suffer neglect?

My children are now men and women who are focusing on building their families.

You are an indigene of Benin Kingdom. How has your closeness to the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, helped you in providing good leadership at UNIBEN?

I am always very conscious of the fact that I am from a tribe where we must continue to project civility, show humility and always make Edo people proud. I am the first female, a core and pure Benin, to hold the position of the vice-chancellor of UNIBEN. So, I must not fail, and I must deliver.

As the first female Professor and first female Dean, Faculty of Education, UNIBEN, can you share the experience?

I became the first female Dean of UNIBEN’s Faculty of Education with just one vote. It was that tough. When I became Dean, we had five departments, but when I was leaving, we had ten. My legacies are still in the faculty, because I transformed it. I do not compromise when it comes to integrity, cleanliness and hard work. The students had to nickname me: “Headmistress,” because if I saw you dropping a piece of paper on the ground or floor, you would pick all the papers that I could see. The students eventually loved me for being strict and maintaining discipline. I left the faculty to become the director-general/chief executive of NIEPA.

You have publications in excess of 75 reference articles and proceedings while you have served as editor, co-editor and consulting editor to many journals nationally and internationally. What are the benefits?

Writing and editing are highly rewarding, as they help academics and others to progress and grow.

You said earlier that Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is supportive of your administration. But he is currently engaged in a deepening face-off with his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, over his successor. How can there be peace in Edo State, ahead of next year’s governorship election?

I am apolitical. Everyone is my friend, but I am not a politician. The Edo State Government has always assisted UNIBEN. We are very grateful for the support and assistance.

How do you want to be remembered at the end of your five-year tenure at UNIBEN, especially in relation to the fulfilment of your initial promises and having legacy projects that you would be proud of?

When I came on board, we had seven pillars by which this administration would be guided. The seven pillars consist of the ambience of the environment, quality teaching and training, safety, welfare of staff, and security, among others. There is no part that has not been touched. The greatest joy that I have is the fact that digital learning and teaching has become an issue that will remain with us. Thanks that COVID-19 brought it to most universities.

UNIBEN is doing very well. Our ranking was very low when I came on board. But right now, we are in the double digit. From 2000 in Africa, we are now hitting 17th. It brings joy to this administration. We are able to drive digitalisation into teaching, learning, publications and collaboration with other institutions to share ideas.

Prior to rounding off my tenure, once you enter UNIBEN, the wifi must pick. We started with 170 students, today we can boast of over 60,000 students. The lecturers then were about ten, while our staff strength is almost 8,000. We will get better. We are also collaborating with other universities in Africa and beyond.

The alumni of UNIBEN have been so nice and very supportive. They should continue to give back to their alma mater for it to grow and become their pride forever.

The students must remain focused on the primary reason for being in the university and avoid the use of drugs. The lecturers must be more dedicated and continue to put in their best. The same lecturers are currently teaching two sessions in one session. They are a special breed. They must continue to be committed and upright.