The Nation Newspaper

Tag: VC

  • JABU on track, says VC

    The Vice Chancellor, Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Prof Sola Fajana, has said the institution would continue to produce graduates with a strong sense of moral uprightness for national development.

    Fajana, who spoke at the 5th convocation of the university, said the institution has pursued the mission  by continuously improving teaching and learning, strengthening its manpower, and creating an enabling environment for learning and holistic development.

    He also said all academic programmes offered by the university are accredited, while necessary arrangements were being made for those due for accreditation.

    “The University has continued to advance in all frontiers of learning.  The visit of the National University Commission (NUC) Resource Verification Team to the proposed Law, Public Administration and International Relations Programmes last February, led to the approval of Law Programme for the university,” he said.

    Fajana enthused that in the coming years, as fallouts of collaborations and partnerships with foreign institutions, JABU will be participating in accreditations offered by accrediting bodies outside Nigeria to improve its visibility.

    He charged the 1,044 graduands to create positive things and be good ambassadors of the university.

    Among the 19 students that bagged first class honours at the convocation, Emmanuel Adebisi of the Computer Science Department emerged the best graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.85.

    Adebisi attributed his success to God and self-determination.

    Meanwhile, 279 students graduated with Second Class upper; 614, Second Class lower; while 126 had third class. Others bagged higher degrees – four MBA and two Post-Graduate Diplomas. In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Prof Anthony Imevbore, said JABU is poised to prepare and equip a vanguard of qualified human resources, who will participate in uplifting the nation’s economy.

    He said the university would soon establish a Medical School for the production of various cadres of health workers.

    Highlight of the convocation ceremony was the conferment of the  Doctor of Enterpreneurship (honoris causa) on Dr Goodie Ibru, for his contribution towards the development of humanity, business world and the society.

  • Allegations against me frivolous, says VC

    Allegations against me frivolous, says VC

    The VIce-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, Prof. Isaac Asuzu, has described last Thursday’s protest by academic workers as “instigated”.

    The workers were protesting alleged poor working conditions and Asuzu’s leadership style.

    Asuzu described the allegations of corruption, lack of transparency, high-handedness, illegal deductions from workers’ salaries, imposition of outrageous taxes, selective promotion of staff and non-payment of allowances, as “ frivolous and flying in the face of common sense”.

    At a briefing at the weekend, the VC accused the workers of conspiracy, saying they were being used by fifth columnists to destabilise the university.

    Asuzu maintained that he had not done anything against the law, contrary to the claims of the protesters.

    The VC said the workers’ demands contravened the extant laws governing the university’s administration.

    Asuzu, who insisted that “things must be done properly”, said he could not afford to be sent to jail because he was protecting workers’ interests.

    Shedding light on the alleged illegal deductions, the VC said they were done in line with the Personal Income Tax (PIT) law.

    He said the law stipulated that the gross or consolidated salaries should be taxed; rather than the basic as agitated by the aggrieved workers.

    According to him, the workers’ agitation that pension contributions should be based on the Consolidated Medical/Health Salary Scale , CONTISS and CONUASS with the exclusion of Rent Subsidy and Peculiar Allowance, contravenes Pension Reform Act.

    Acceding to the workers’ request, the VC said, would amount to illegality which he would not subscribe to.

    “We don’t have enough money to be paying all these demands and they have to show understanding”.

    The FUOYE boss also pointed out that the Federal Government only fund Hazard Allowance for university health workers.

    He said universities paying across board have been doing that from their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    Asuzu added that FUOYE lacked the capacity to pay “13th month salary” because of its lean financial resources and that such benefit was not funded by the Federal Government.

  • VC wants women empowered

    The Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) in Ojo, Prof John Obafunwa, has urged corporate organisations and philanthropists to invest in initiatives aimed at empowering the women.

    The VC said empowerment of women became necessary, because of their role in bringing up children and support for the family. Obafunwa spoke at the United Nations Information Centre in Lagos on Tuesday, while delivering a keynote address at the 2014 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Scholarships and Awards presentation to five students. He was represented by the Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies, Dr Biodun Deloye.

    The VC said: “A nation is empowered when women are empowered. If we admit this fact, then time is ripe for all public and private organisations to say yes to women empowerment and no to violence against women.”

    Senior Public Information Officer in the United Nations Information Centre, Envera Selimovic, said the world body would continue to supports initiatives aimed at enlightening and empowering women in the country and the world.

    Selimovic charged women to learn to speak out against violence, calling on co-operation among people to end violence against women.

    A lecturer in Mass Communication Department of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr Ifoma Amobi, urged the media to play active roles in educating the citizens on how to report women abuses and how the victims could be counselled and guided.

    The participants were shown a film documentary shot by UNILAG students on violence against women. Dr Amobi said the department would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, with a view to promote a society where all genders will be free.

    The Artistic Director, Maybelline New York Nigeria, Mrs Bimpe Onakoya, said women must take their destinies in their hands by being productive. She said ladies must be willing to take risk to make their dreams a reality.

    Onakoya said she had no regret for dumping bank job for studio, urging the youths to aspire to be entrepreneurs despite the challenges facing the nation.

  • Memories of people’s VC

    Memories of people’s VC

    Prof Osayuki Oshodin has bowed out as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), after a five-year tenure. But he left enduring legacies, write EDDY UWOGHIREN (300-Level Medicine and Surgery) and EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN (400-Level Pharmacy).

    His tenure ended on November 29, but Prof Osayuki Oshodin’s achievements  as  Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) will never be forgotten by staff and students.

    Oshodin, a professor of Health Education, succeeded Prof Eddy Nwanze in 2009. Aware of the taking cognizance task ahead of him, Oshodin rolled up his sleeves and went to work immediately.

    In order to restore the university’s glory, the former VC stepped on to.

    Prof Oshodin presented programmes that changed the face of the university. He introduced a high-level disciplinary code for staff and students. During his administration, the campaign against students’ harassment by lecturers was strengthened; indecent dressing and immoral act among staff and students were prohibited. For many, the fear of Oshodin was the beginning of wisdom.

    Prof Oshodin initiated the renovation and building of facilities, including Pharmacy Office Complex, New Auditorium Complex, Central Research Laboratories, Faculty of Education Laboratories, Centre for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) Building, X-Ray House, School of Basic Medical Sciences office complex, construction of road within the campus, office block for Students’ Affairs’ Unit, among others.

    He introduced and got accreditation for Physiotherapy, Radiography, and Library and Information Sciences, among other. He also secured accreditation for the Nursing Sciences Department. The medical college’s accreditation was restored.

    His forthrightness led to the building of an indoor Sports Hall, equipped with modern facilities.  Oshodin renovated the basketball, volleyball and lawn tennis courts and the swimming pool in the Samuel Ogbemudia Sports Centre.

    He introduced a yearly marathon, where students win cash prizes. The university hosted the 23rd Nigeria Universities Games (NUGA) in 2011 and the 11th edition of the Nigeria Universities Staff Sports Games (NUSSA), which the chairman of NUSSA, Prof Michael Mgbor, described as the best ever.

    Oshodin is credited for the establishment of a Work-Study Programme, where indigent students earn money to finance their staff and education.  students remember his tenure with hostalgia.

    Etinosa Osayande, a 300-Level Medicine and Surgery student, said: “Prof Oshodin’s achievements have made him the best administrator the school has had. He instituted a platform that makes applicants, within and outside the country, choose UNIBEN as first-choice school. In my class, there are international students, who came to study because of the quality.”

    Janet Ighodaro, a graduate, said Oshodin restored sanity to the school’s admission process, which used to be “man-know-man”. She said Oshodin emphasised on merit, which gave many brilliant indigent students to opportunities to acquire university education.

    Augustine Aigbayenode, a 400-Level Pharmacy student, Oshodin brought innovation to administration. He said: “As I speak, the era of lecturers harassing students is gone. Our results are released as at when due. All these point to his astuteness and sagacity. Issues of fake students are not common again. You can be a fake student elsewhere but not in UNIBEN. You will be embarrassed and caught even after paying school fees. This was achieved through strong online portal, where students’ records are checked instantly.”

    Dr Isreal Aikpitanze , an alumnus, hailed the former VC for improving medical teaching. “Oshodin has been able to put things in place and corrected the overpopulation in the medical school,” he said.

    Some students took to social media to congratulate Prof Oshodin for successful tenure. One of them, Timothy Osaigbovo, wrote on his Facebook age: “I almost forfeited my admission to study English Education, because I applied for Law. But, after a session, I had a change of mind, because of how Faculty of Education was being run. He renovated the faculty and we are proud of his achievement because he is from our faculty. He is indeed an academic giant and a worthy educationist.”

     

     

  • We are sanitising the system, says VC

    We are sanitising the system, says VC

    Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) Prof John Obafunwa says withdrawal of Ph.Ds is to sanitise the system, not to victimise anyone.  He attributes the crisis in the university to detractors who are unhappy about loopholes for corruption that have been blocked. 

    The problem you have with ASUU has to do with the withdrawal of 19 Ph.Ds from lecturers.  Can you please defend the withdrawal of the PhD certificates of lecturers from ASUU?

    We need to get a few things straight: the vice chancellor cannot award a degree and the vice chancellor cannot withdraw a degree; only the senate has that power. Number two: is it true that few senators took a decision? No it is not true.  Unfortunately, I do not have the details here.  But I can tell you the genesis.  By the way 93 senators were present and it is normal that if you start a session, everybody might not be there when a particular agenda comes up.  But it is a surprise to say that it was not listed.  In fact everybody had a file so it is not a question of not knowing what was to be discussed.

    But how did it start?  Somebody raised an issue in the previous senate meeting about irregularities in the award of Ph.Ds.  Somebody whispered it that there was somebody given a PhD and would not accept it because that was not what she applied for.  She applied for Ph.D in International Business how come you want to give her Ph.D Administration Marketing?  (I said) Dean of PG School, Dean, Management Sciences, we need to know what has happened in the last five years.  All the Ph.Ds that we have awarded let us see. They finally came with 19 names of people who had Ph.Ds.  The Senate deliberated on it and categorized them into three – those that apparently had no problems – in other words, you applied for Ph.D Business Administration, you were given Ph.D Business Administration. About seven of them had no problem.

    We have another group categorized as those with mild issues and those with serious issues making three categories. In the mild group we have about seven and in the severe group we have another five. Seven plus five 12; 12 plus seven 19.

    Those with Ph.Ds that were withdrawn, the mild and the severe, are supposed to go and present their letter of admission prescribing what you were admitted for and when you are doing your conversion of MPhil to Ph.D what exactly did you covert to. Then the thesis itself, what was your dissertation? Letters were written, to the best of my knowledge, I think all but two returned their Ph.Ds. The Lagos State University withdrew the certificates.

    The Dean PG School sat down with the Dean, Management Sciences to look into the details – what was offered, the dissertation – what happened and the group with mild turned out not so difficult to deal with again because if I applied for Ph.D Business Administration and I am given Ph.D Business Administration in bracket management, it means that it could be easily corrected to Ph.D management. If you applied for a Ph.D International Business and you are given Ph.D Business Administration (Marketing) and your dissertation and every other documentation shows that it is International Business, that is not too difficult to deal with. If you apply for Ph.D International Business and you are given Ph.D Business Administration (International Business) that is not too difficult to deal with. But if you apply for Ph.D Business Administration and your dissertation also says Business Administration but you are given Ph.D Marketing; to start with Marketing was never approved by LASU Senate; something is wrong.

    But what about Idris?

    As for the issue of Mr Idris I am not going to say much because of legal considerations. I will just talk generally. At this point in time I know that a number of them had their cases corrected. And by the way, the 19 people we are talking about are not all academics in LASU. More of them are working outside and I can tell you that people have complied except for about three or two people. If I knew we were going to deal with this I would have asked for names.  I cannot give you the 18 names but I can tell you 19 names were brought to senate and they were categorized into three and treated separately. So to say that one person was targeted is not true

    Do you not think that there is some internal mechanism that brought about award of that certificate? If so, what is the institution doing to those who actually gave them the certificates?

    I said a while ago that there is a committee looking at what happened on the inside – who did what, what could have happened and I can assure you when we identify anything on the inside the VC would be bold enough to deal with it.

    I don’t want to say much on the issue of Idris, when we get to the court room certain things would be laid there. It is not unusually for people to say this or that. I must not been seen to be presenting anything

    What was the duration given to the committee to work?

    I think they have just about two weeks to do what they have to do.

    LASU-ASUU have levelled several allegations against you – obnoxious practices, doctoring of documents and others. Could you react to them?

    To start with, I have gotten used to people throwing in so many things in the basket just to create confusion. On the 4th of November, I got a letter from Mr Idris requesting for the use of facilities for the ASUU-NEC meeting. The letter arrived on the 5th.  He asked for the use of the hall; he asked for security. I signed everything that it should be made available for free. And he said he wanted to use the place for two days. Traditionally when ASUU visit a place you will pay a courtesy call to the VC.  If they have issues they would even use that occasion to vent their anger and talk about it, maybe you have explanations or not.

    ASUU never made a courtesy call to the VC.  ASUU never raised any issues. In fact on Monday the 8th, when they continued their meeting and had the press conference, don’t forget 8th was not even part of what they asked for, this administration did not interfere with it.

    A few days before the NEC meeting, some people came to me and said ‘why should we be funding this people?’ I said no, I don’t have an issue with ASUU national and two, I have already giving my word that certain things would be made available to them, we are going to take care of them.  So this thing about some students going there and causing disruption, I don’t know anything about that.

    Of course, what I had later on was that some students gathered that there was an attempt by ASUU-NEC that there was a plan to call a strike and they went there to object. I was in my office.

    It appears that there are always issues between the VC and LASU Chairman

    Whenever we have issues like this, we should be able to closely draw a line between what is fact and what is to be discarded. I recall my encounter firstly when I came in 2011, you didn’t hear any problems, no complains until 2012. Are you saying there was no ASUU-LASU then? I could pick up a phone and call the chairman that there is an issue here that concerns your union member and things were dealt with, at time he will say sir leave this to me, I will deal with it.

    My first encounter with Idris, I recall he said to me: “I am not here to joke with you;l I am here strictly for business.” I even cracked a joke; I said. “If there are issues I am sure we can resolve them over pepper soup”.  He replied: “No who is drinking pepper soup with you?” I said okay.

  • VC seeks partnership with Abia govt

    No position the University of Nigeria, Nsukka for partnership, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, has led the body of principal officers on a courtesy visit on the governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji.

    Speaking in the Government House, Prof Ozumba said the visit was meant to develop partnership between the institution and the Abia State in different areas, including agriculture and staff development.

    The VC praised the governor for what he called “quality leadership” displayed as both the Chief Executive Officer of the state and as chairman of Southeast Governors’ Forum.

    He said: “The university is very proud of your achievements in the areas of construction of necessary infrastructure and development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).”

    While praising the governor for his efforts in securing the state from the activities of armed robbers and kidnappers, Prof Ozumba said the health policy of the Orji administration had reduced high infant and maternal mortality rate in the state.

    The Vice-Chancellor urged Orji to partner with the university, saying the institution had shown interest in the development of states in the Southeast.

    Governor Orji described the UNN management staff’s visit as timely, saying the VC knew how to get what he wanted.

    He said: “I want to place it on record that you (Prof Ozumba) are the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria that has paid me a courtesy visit. With this, I want to assure you that you will do well in your tenure.”

    He expressed the readiness of the State to partner with the university in any discipline, stressing that the government had the human and material resources needed to enter into partnership.

    He said that his administration placed priority on education, which is why the state had, in the past two consecutive years, maintained second position in the general performance of students sitting for the West African School Certificate Examination (WAEC).

  • VC praises Amaechi for varsity status

    The Vice-Chancellor, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Port Harcourt, Prof. Rosemund Green-Osahogulu, has said the university community will continue to appreciate Governor Chibuike Amaechi administration for upgrading the Rivers State College of Education Rumuolumeni to a university.

    She said it was necessary to thank Amaechi for eventually completing a process started by previous administration.

    Green-Osahogulu made this remark during the 30th/32nd convocation of the university penultimate week.

    She said the institution, which has three campuses in Port Harcourt are to be upgraded.

    “The battle to upgrade the college of education to university status started since October 2009 when Governor Chibuike  Rotimi Amaechi upgraded the college to the status of Rivers State University of Education.

    “The subsequent renaming of the university as Ignatius Ajuru University of Education of course was done by the governor in honour of the last but one chairman of the pre -upgrade college of education governing council, which is the departed Ambassador Ignatius Ajuru.

    “As we are celebrating our graduates today, it is necessary to thank the effort of the governor and all those who have made it possible for us to achieve our dream success. Don’t forget we give glory to God for giving us the testimony.”

     

  • VC urges govt to increase funding for research, extension services

    THE Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof Abdullahi Mustapha, has  urged the Federal Government to increase funding for agricultural research and extension services, to keep pace with advancement in the sector.

    Mustapha made the call at the ongoing 14th National Irrigation and Drainage Seminar, holding in Minna, Niger State, with the theme, ‘Advancing the Frontiers of Irrigation and Drainage for Agricultural Transformation’.

    He said massive funding of research and extension services would impact positively on agriculture and ensure food security.

    “It is important to let the participants know that our institutes are making great contribution to advancing the frontiers of irrigation in the country.

    “This cannot be achieved without financial support from the Federal Government.

    “In order to keep pace with advancement in technology, it is necessary to increase research and extension funding,’’ he said.

    He said the university was the only institution in the country mandated to conduct research on irrigation, adding that it was collaborating with local and international organisations in meeting its target.

  • TETFund: VC makes case for private varsities

    Vice Chancellor of Oduduwa University, Prof Olajumo Olayiwola has urged the Federal Ministry of Education to include private universities among the beneficiaries of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

    She said this during the convocation of the university.

    She said doing so would reduce the tuition fees charged by the private universities in the country, which would also bring joy to parents.

    Prof Olayiwola said instead of government seeing private universities in the country as means by which the proprietors generate money, they should be seen as indispensable contributors towards not only the development of education in the country but also providers of quality education education.

    At the convocation, 196 students graduated from various departments including Biochemistry, Microbiology, Computer Science, Industrial Chemistry, Physics, Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Economics and Mass communication.

     

  • Students, Staff hail VC on national award

    Students, Staff hail VC on national award

    Students and staff of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Kwara State have rejoiced with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdul-ganiyu Ambali, who was conferred with an award of Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Ambali was honoured for his professional achievement and contribution to academic excellence and national development.

    The students also hailed Prof Ishaq Oloyede, the immediate past VC, who also bagged the award. Oloyede, who is the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, was honoured with Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).

    Commenting on the achievement, chairman of the varsity’s chapter of the Academic of Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Abdulrasheed Adeoye, described Ambali’s and Oloyede’s awards as products of hardwork, resilience and dedication to service.

    According to him, the two honourees served humanity with passion, noting that their vision for the university was anchored on commitment and fear of God. “They deserve the honour,” he said.

    Mr Mansur Alfanla, chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), UNILORIN branch, described the honorees as “hardworking, capable, selfless and reliable people”, who deserved more honours.

    He said: “Both Oloyede and Ambali deserve the honour. And their award should remind people in positions of leadership to act with the fear of God. They must equally allow their conscience to guide them because history is always there to record whatever they do.

    “Anyone in position of authority must always have it at the back of his mind that it is not only human beings you will be accountable to; you will also be accountable to God Almighty. So, a leader should be transparent, sincere, principled, open, and accommodating”.

    Mr J.J. Bello, chairman of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) Chairman, said the awards were bundle of joy to the institution.

    Prof Ambali dedicated the award to all members of the university community for their contribution to his administration’s achievment.

    Students also praised the VC, who they described as a model of excellence.

    Opeyemi Saadu, a Comparative Religion Study student, described the award as a right step in the right direction.

    He said: “Prof Ambali is a man with sterling leadership qualities. His contributions to national development must not go unrecognised.”

    Adewale Adebayo, a 300-Level student, described the honourees as beacons of hope for the present generation, saying their impacts would remain good examples in the academic firmament.