The Nation Newspaper

Tag: VC

  • VC appointments

    VC appointments

    • Integrity and merit should be determinants

    In Nigeria, the appointment of Vice-Chancellors (VCs) has a long history of controversy. One of the bases for acrimony is what has been perceived as ethnic dominance of the leaderships of the apex academic institutions. Today, a mirror image of the problem is becoming rampant in the different geo-political zones of the country, with host communities of federal universities insisting that indigenous people be made VCs of the respective institutions.

    In one case, the problem was compounded with the introduction of a religious dimension. When a candidate who duly emerged as VC had a name which sounded like that of a Muslim, protests by the indigenes ensued, and ended only when they discovered that the VC-elect was actually a Christian.

    This anti-intellectual trend may have made the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, to declare as follows at the 36th convocation lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, on December 7, as reported by Punch newspaper: “The sponsorship of the selection process of Vice Chancellors by politicians has made university administration increasingly local.”

     The implication of this, according to him, is that “Our universities have become increasingly local, with the majority of academic and non-academic staff sponsored by local politicians and other leaders from the host communities. Political affiliation has also assumed overarching importance in the selection process.” All of these create problems for the maintenance of discipline within the system.

    Read Also: Presidency blasts Bauchi governor over remarks on Tinubu

    Echono was further reported to have noted: “Principal officers exert enormous influence, especially in procurement (Tender Board) and payments for projects, goods, and services. Contractors have been known to sponsor candidates for Vice Chancellor in return for patronage.” This may be the reason for the widespread allegations of corruption in the Nigerian university system. In one instance, it was an incumbent president himself who made the unflattering allegation. The effect of such corrupt practices in contract award is that it undermines the capacity to enforce implementation rules and ensure quality delivery.

    While noting the need for accountability at every level of the selection process, to guarantee integrity and meritocracy, Echono offered this solution: “The autonomy of universities needs to be strengthened to minimise political interference.” But, is inadequate autonomy the real issue?

    According to The Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003 (otherwise called the University Autonomy Bill), the composition of the Governing Council of a federal university is as follows: “(a) the Pro-Chancellor; (b) the Vice-Chancellor; (c) the Deputy Vice-Chancellors; (d) one person from the Federal Ministry responsible for Education; (e) four persons representing a variety of interest and broadly representative of the whole Federation to be appointed by the National Council of Ministers; (f) four persons appointed by the Senate from among its members; (g) two persons appointed by the Congregation from among its members; and (h) one person appointed by Convocation from among its members.”

    From this provision, the total number of members of Council is typically 17. Out of this number, 6 (i.e., a, d and e) are clearly external members, and 10 (i.e., b, c (who are normally 3), f and g) are clearly internal members. One person appointed by Convocation from among its members (i.e., h, who is usually the President of the Alumni Association) is hybrid, because they could fit into either of the external or internal member categories.

    The Autonomy Bill vests the Council with the power to appoint VCs without interference from the government or its agencies. Since the internal members of Council are in the majority, indicating a significant measure of autonomy in the VC appointment process, why do the internal members lose control of the process, and why does the process become typically acrimonious and merit-supplanting?

    One of the reasons is the typical provincial perception of a federal university as “our university” by indigenes of the state or even city in which the university is located. The effect of this is that even if an indigene of the area does not emerge as the best candidate, pressure of all sorts (including weird intimidation) is piled on the Council, by traditional rulers or even state governments, to declare that indigene as the VC-elect.

    It is also believed that, sometimes, the pressure is from the regulatory agencies themselves. These are the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission. Moreover, it is believed that pressure sometimes comes from ruling party leaders and key functionaries of the Federal Government.

    The internal members of Council themselves contribute to the problems when they and/or the unions they belong to get sucked into the VC selection scheming and so lose their power to insist on making the best interest of the university the overriding consideration in the selection.

    In some cases, the majority status of internal members of Council is undermined when, in pursuit of personal interest, a destabilising number of internal members join the VC race. As contestants, these internal members cannot be part of the decision-making process. This creates a situation in which, by default, the external members of Council become the majority, and the process is open to a higher risk of external manipulation.

    The implication of all of the foregoing is that the choice of external members into the Governing Councils of federal universities should be guided by the patriotic desire to serve the Nigerian university system rather than primordial or pecuniary interests. Moreover, the election of internal members of the Governing Council should be underlain by the desire to promote the best interests of the university and the enhancement of factors that would make individuals within the system to be able to fulfill their roles in relation to the growth of the institution.

    As the saying goes, “The fish rots first from the head.” If a VC is therefore appointed with debilitating psychological, socio-political and financial baggage, the chances of self-replicating mediocrity is high, and it would be difficult for them to effectively lead the university to meet the developmental yearnings of the nation.

  • VC makes case for youths as church turns 60

    VC makes case for youths as church turns 60

    Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church ended celebration of its 60th anniversary with an award  for notable individuals and priests who have passed through the church.

      The church launched a book: Chronicle, and an anniversary lecture by Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Prof Folasade Ogunsola.

     Those honoured include first Bishop of diocese of Lagos West, Rev Awelewa Adebiyi, who got a posthumous award; first Dean of the Cathedral, Rev Segun Adeyemi, Sam Ohuabunwa, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye.

     In her lecture, Prof Ogunsola urged the church to reinvent itself and work towards getting the youth into its mainstream.

      She noted the first 60 years of AVMCC was a time of exponential growth, recalling how the church metamorphosed from a 50-member-church to a congregation of over 8000.

    Read Also: NFVCB warns against production of same-sex, pornographic films

     According to her, the church has transformed lives, through counselling, cultural enrichment, advocacy and social justice”

    Ogunsola said the church should look inwards and work attract young people.

     She said: “Young people want to be mentored. They don’t want to be shamed. They want engagements on issues, they need a sense of purpose and relevance. We need to know how to accept them and engage them.’’

    ‘’They are prone to anxiety and a high level of political activity.” She noted further that “the present generation is constantly questioning the relevance of religion.

    ‘’They enjoy the freedom of investigating beliefs. They want sermons to connect them with what they do. They want authenticity.” AVMCC  in her reckoning has both the financial and human capital to make reasonable changes as long the changes keep to the “tenets of our faith, we can change”

     Earlier in her lecture, Ogunsola noted that the church was named after Leslie Gordon Vining, who was first archbishop of the Province of West Africa.

  • APU VC: Learning a life-long activity

    APU VC: Learning a life-long activity

    • By Kola Alhassan

    Vice Chancellor of the Ahman Pategi University(APU) Patigi, Kwara State, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji has charged students to see learning as a life-long endeavour that is not limited to what is offered in the classroom.

    He spoke  at the second  graduation ceremony of  the Ahman Pategi College of Advanced Studies (APCAS) on the university campus, where 36 students were presented their diploma certificates.  

    Speaking on the theme: “Living is Learning, Learning is Leading”,  Adedimeji noted that there were many scholars and intellectuals who had died centuries and years ago but were still living with  their works in the hearts of people.

    The VC urged  the graduates not to see education or learning as what can be completed, adding that only schooling can be completed.

    Read Also: Covenant University to run distance E-learning programme

    The don who likened life to a university that one graduates from only at death,  charged them to be excellent  to distinguish themselves in the society, stressing that those who know lead the rest.

    The erstwhile Director Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Illorin, said  there are many people walking today but are dead in reality because they are of not useful to themselves and the society,  as they are not missed when absent and not felt when present.

    Adedimeji stressed that readers are leaders and the graduates should take their studies seriously to provide guidance to their peers and society.

    He added that with their graduation from the college, they were poised for higher educational and career opportunities in their  various disciplines.

     Adedimeji lauded the vision of the founder, Hon. Aliyu Ahman-Pategi, which gave rise to the success of the graduates. He also thanked the Board of Trustees of the institution under Sen. Isa Muhammed and the Governing Council under the chairmanship of Amb. Nimota Akanbi.

  • UNIZIK gets new VC

    The Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has appointed Charles Okechukwu Esimone as the sixth vice-chancellor of the institution.

    Esimone is a professor of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology.

    According to the institution’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, Esimone beat 36 other professors who contended for the coveted position.

    In the appointment letter signed by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council of the university, Esimone’s appointment would run for a single term of five years.

    Esimone hails from Akwaeze in Anaocha Local Government area of Anambra State.

    Born in Tiko, Cameroon, he graduated from St. Joseph’s College Sasse, Cameroon. He also had his first and post graduate degrees in Pharmacy from the University of Nigeria. He is the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of UNIZIK. Esimone was the former deputy vice-chancellor (Academic) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He got his professorial chair at the age of 37, emerging as the youngest professor in UNIZIK.  He has well over 200 publications. On the list of 28 most published scholars in Nigeria, Prof Esimone ranked 18th.

    He is a member of several professional bodies, including the Global Young Academy and the American Society for Cell Biology. Prof. Esimone is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy. He is happily married and the marriage is blessed with three boys and two girls.

  • Islam and science are inseparable twins, says VC

    Muslims all over the world have been challenged to research more into the history of Qur’an with a view to re-ascertaining that the Holy Book is the source of all the sciences.

    This, they said, will correct the erroneous claimed that science is an intellectual property of non-Muslim individuals or groups.

    An Islamic scholar and     Vice Chancellor, Fountain University, Osogbo, (FUO) Prof Amidu Sanni threw the challenge on Saturday while delivering a paper on Islam, Science and Today’s World at the 15th annual Ramadan lecture organised by the University of Lagos Muslim Community (UMC).

    Prof Sanni, who lamented the nonchalant attitude of today’s Muslim towards knowledge, especially the sciences reminded that the knowledge is the foundation on which Islam is built, reminding that, the first verse revealed to Prophet Muhammad, was about ‘reading,’ connoting seeking for knowledge.

    According to him, Prophet Muhammed gingered Muslims severally to seek for knowledge, adding that the vital ingredient for societal growth is education and knowledge.

    The erudite author of several books quoted several verses from the glorious book, where the almighty Allah tasked the Muslims to think deeply and research extensively into it   to discover that it is a divine book that is the compendium of all aspects of sciences people can think of under the sun.

    Chairman on the occasion, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), said having listened to the lecturer, what remains is a pragmatic steps towards making the import of the message to have impact on the Muslims.

    Banire, who is the current Chairman, Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), admitted that, “scientific inventions witnessing today are already captured in the glorious Qur’an,” adding that, “the rapport and symbiotic relationship between the sciences and the Qur’an are not antagonistic, but rather complimentary.

    He urged the Muslims to continue to make excursion into researches since the most compelling obligation in Islam is seeking for knowledge, advising that, “we should not be contented and be satisfied with the little we have acquired in our research into sciences.

    University of Lagos Vice Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe thanked the organisers for their contributions towards peace on the campus.

    “We are privileged nowadays to have this type of lecture that contributes to education and peaceful co-existence in the community,” he said.

    He urged the attendees to imbibe the spirit of Ramadan and live up to the standards of its teachings.

    The Vice chancellor appealed to all to pray for the nation for a peaceful transition on May 29.

    UNILAG Muslim Community (UMC) Chairman Prof Lai Olurode said the topic of the lecture was deliberately chosen to wake up the Muslims from their slumber to realise that Qur’an and the sciences are Siamese twins that cannot be separated.

    According to him, if lectures on such a topics are not organised, Muslims would not stop having the erroneous impression that Islam and the early Muslims contributed nothing to the sciences saying, with this type of programmes, the Muslims will wake up to the realisation that they are the custodians of the knowledge that keeps the world going.

    He therefore urged the Muslims to rise up and take over their rightful place in the world as far as knowledge, particularly the sciences is concerned.

  • VC warns students against cultism, forgery, others

    The Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, has warned students against cultism, forgery, examination malpractices and other vices throughout their stay.

    He said cultism and deviant behaviours remained an anathema and would not be tolerated.

    Speaking at the weekend during the matriculation of over 9,000 regular and Continuous Education Programme (CEP) students, Ahaneku warned that misconducts attracted expulsion.

    He listed payment of school fees and attendance of 75 per cent lectures in all courses as prerequisites for successful graduation of students.

    Ahaneku said: “You must take your studies seriously and avoid associations capable of jeopardising your future.

    “The university has provided you with congenial environment and welfare facilities for your development in character and learning.

    “These facilities include a work-aid scheme to assist indigent students who attain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.50; a Group Personal Insurance and well-equipped hostels.”

    The vice chancellor said the institution enjoyed full accreditations in all the 107 programmes across the 14 faculties.

    “The institution has linkages with universities across the world to facilitate academic programmes development, teaching/research and staff/student exchange,” he added.

  • VC: LASU mustn’t fall back into dark years

    Lagos State University (LASU) vice chancellor (VC) Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun has said all hands must be on deck to ensure that the institution does not fall back into its “dark years”.

    In the past, the institution was crisis-ridden, leading to its loss of the accreditation of some of its programmes in which it held sway.

    Hard hit was the Law programme in which its graduates hithterto emerged tops at the Law School.

    Speaking in Lagos at the weekend during a dinner held for him by the LASU Alumni Association to mark his attainment of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank, Fagbohun urged the group to wake up to its responsibilities.

    “be proactive in complementing the new LASU project and preventing the university from going back into the dark years,” he said.

    In her speech, Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule said the government will ensure that a worthy person succeeds Fagbohun in 2020.

    Adebule, also an alumna of the university, said selecting a capable person to succeed Fagbohun was key to sustaining the peace and progress in the university in the past three years.

    “About the fear of who will take the mantle from Prof. Fagbohun and build on the good work he has started, I admonish that you fear not, for God is always there.

    “At the appointed time, God will choose who will fit into the position, but as a government, we are not unmindful of the fact that it is our pride to pick the best person.

    “As God assisted us to pick Fagbohun, He will also guide us to pick a suitable successor. No evil person will scale through the selection process,” she said.

    Adebule hailed the VC for working for LASU’s progress, saying: “God has done it for you. I am proud of you as our VC and appreciate you for not being distracted in your set goals.

    “Thank you for keeping faith and keeping the LASU flag flying. God will protect you.

    “Mrs. Yeside Fagbohun, all the accolades of today are for you; for being a friend and supportive wife to the VC.”

    LASU Alumni Association President Gen. Cecil Esakhaigbe (retd) hailed the deputy governor for honouring the VC.

    He said the association was a platform to give back to the university.

    Esakhaigbe congratulated the VC on getting silk and for being a visionary leader and turning LASU around.

    “This is the beginning of great things to come your way. So, don’t be distracted, as there are bound to be challenges, but you will triumph.

    “LASU used to be synonymous with crisis, but things have changed in the last three years. The university now features positively in the news.

    “For those who are against peace in LASU, you will fail because there must be peace in LASU. That is not negotiable,” he said.

    Fagbohun thanked the deputy governor and the association for celebrating his achievements and the institution’s progress.

    “The deputy governor’s passion for LASU is something else, as you have always been at the forefront when it comes to anything pertaining to the institution.

    “It is not easy for you to close the gap between us, but you are determined to remain close to us,” he said.

  • I‘ll ensure greatness of Nasarawa varsity, says VC

    The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Suleiman Mohammed has pledged to improve the standard of the institution.

    The VC, in a statement issued yesterday by the institution’s Information and Protocol Officer, Abraham Ekpo, made the pledge when some traditional rulers from the state visited his office.

    The tradional rulers were led on the visit by His Royal Highness, Alh. Halilu Usman (Osu Ojiri), His Royal Highness, Alh. Abubakar Sabo (Mai-Loko), His Royal Highness, Dantani (Sarkin-Ara) and His Royal Highness, Alh. Ahmed Kwanati Guto (Oche Agatu).

    Prof. Mohammed, who commended the monarchs for the “morale boosting” visit, assured them of his commitment to undertaking his duties in accordance with laid down procedures and global best practices, in order to realize the mandates for which the University was established.

    He solicited for their continued prayers and solidarity, promising to do everything within his powers to ensure that the university leaped to become one of the best in the country.

    The VC said his “success will be to the glory of the Emirate, and I will do my best to make you proud.”

    Alhj. Usman who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, reminded the Ag. vice-chancellor of the tasks and responsibilities before him.

    The monarch charged him to use his wealth of experience and years in the academic environment to elevate university to higher heights.

    He prayed to God to guide and sustain the Vice-Chancellor as he embarked on repositioning the highflying citadel of learning.

    In the same vein, Emir of Nasarawa, His Royal Highness Alhj. Hassan Ahmed II, charged the Vice-Chancellor to be a good ambassador of the Nasarawa Emirate in ensuring that he leaves behind enduring legacies.

    “The Vice-Chancellor, who incidentally is a son of Nasarawa Emirate, received royal blessings and solidarity, conveyed on behalf of the Emir by the leader of the delegation, Alh. Jafaru Ango (Durban-Nasarawa),” the statement added.

  • Nigerian students not getting quality education, says VC

    The Vice Chancellor, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Prof Akeem Gbajabiamila has said the deteriorating standard of education was a disservice to the present generation and beyond.

    He spoke at the 70th anniversary of Anwar-ul-Islam College Agege, held at the Airport Hotel,  Ikeja on Thursday.

    The event featured a symposium titled “Quality education and national development” and a book presentation in honor of Jimoh Gbadamosi, a retired principal of the school.

    He said unlike in the past when Nigeria was a Mecca of sorts for other African countries seeking quality education, the county had lost its glory to countries like Ghana, Tanzania and Gambia.

    “These are countries we have always looked down on as not being well endowed as our own country!  These countries have not only excelled but have put more of their citizens out of poverty and also put street children in schools. The real singular reason for their successes is the amount of money they are spending on education”.

    Akeem who spoke as a representative of the founder of the school, Chief Bola Ajibola, said the seven percent given to education was not beneficial in terms of providing quality and has also encouraged learners to cram rather than understand.

    “It is a disservice to our children and those coming behind.  It is not that they are not able or capable to succeed but we have failed them. We have failed to spend enough to keep them going,” he said.

    He explained that  the inability of universities in the country to accommodate the over 1.5million students seeking admission yearly and the deteriorating  state of education standard have  invariably contributed positively to the net budget of education of other countries.

    “Over the last 10 years the best 100 students in WAEC are from Ghana. Even the West African Surgeon exam has been dominated by Ghana in the last 10 years. All our students, even professors are falling behind, likewise the system. That is why we are not even in the top best 100 universities rating.

    “Nigerian parents are quite resolute.  The Net contributor and developer of the Ghana education system are the Nigerian parents.  Nigeria parents spend $98 million in the Ghana education sector.  The total budget for all its federal universities is less than that. And it is the only country that gives 25 percent budget to education as stipulated by UNESCO”.

    Chairman of the event, Lateef Femi Okunnu urged the government to adequately fund the education sector.

    Prof Basirat Oladipupo, Department of Human Kinetics, Sport and Health Education,  Lagos State University explained that the gender apartheid placed the girl-child in a disadvantaged position,  “which suppresses her potentials and destroys her self actualisation.”

    She advised that the girl-child be educated to contribute to the development of the country.

  • NUC urges VCs on sexual harassment

    THE Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Rasheed Adamu Abubakar, has advised vice chancellors on sexual harassment of female students.

    He said lecturers accused and found to be sexually harassing students must be punished.

    The NUC boss spoke at the 33rd Conference of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities with the theme: “Revitalisation of University Education in Nigeria”.

    It was held at the Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.

    Abubakar said: “We must ensure that the image of our universities being dented by some unscrupulous perpetrators of sexual harassment is protected. If this trend is allowed to continue, the future of education is bleak. The universities should be seen as producing graduates that could compete favourably with their colleagues anywhere in the world.”

    He advised the vice chancellors not to restrict their research and academic collaborations to international universities, but to collaborate internally with their co-universities in Nigeria and ensure that their products can complete internationally.

    The executive secretary, who hoped that Nigerian graduates could compete anywhere in the world, however, lamented that some international institutions found it hard to employ Nigerian doctors, engineers and other professionals.

    Welcoming participants, the host and Vice Chancellor of the Redeemer University, Ede, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, who is also the chairman of the association, told his colleagues that the onus is on them to produce graduates that can compete with their contemporaries anywhere in the world.

    He said: “We, therefore, need to encourage ourselves by stating the fact that the Nigerian education system is not beyond redemption. We only need a purposeful leadership, absolute commitment from key stakeholders and a sense of urgency to turn around the education sector.

    “We are glad that the current leadership of the NUC is resolutely committed to this. His style of leadership and ongoing restructuring through the NUC is heartwarming and points to a better future for the country.

    “While the society is quick to point out areas of weaknesses in our tertiary education system, we need to salute the courage, tenacity and doggedness of our able vice chancellors in moving the system forward in spite of the myriads of challenges confronting the ivory towers.”