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Tag: VC

  • Arewa youths name VC ‘youth defender’

    Arewa youths name VC ‘youth defender’

    The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has named the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Nigeria, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, the Garkuwan Matasan, which means defender of youths. The group also presented a certificate of appreciation to the leadership of the school for “being fair and just to students” from the northern part of Nigeria.

    On why the VC was recognised, AYA Speaker Mohammad Salihu said Prof Ozumba’s leadership style had promoted tolerance among students from diverse backgrounds, noting that the VC had inspired the youth with his administrative competence.

    He said: “We selected Prof Ozumba as the most appropriate personality who symbolises the resilience and spirit of triumph of the Nigerian character.”

    Salihu described Ozumba as “a man ahead of his generation” and a leader who placed the country on the world education  map. He added that the VC remained a model of decency for the youth to emulate.

    He used the occasion to call on leaders to pay attention to the plights of the youth, saying the nation would only be able to combat insecurity and crimes if the youth became the focus of the government.

    “It is in our opinion that leaders of our country should take a cue from the legacies of the late Ahmadu Bello and Nnamdi Azikiwe as blueprint for change in the polity. The effort would bring about moral rebirth and restoration of national values that will unite all components and segments of this country,” he said.

    While presenting the certificate of appreciation to the university management, Salihu noted that AYA had observed that the school never discriminated against students from the Northern part of the country studying at the UNN.

    In his response, Prof Ozumba appreciated the group for taking actions to encourage selfless leadership. He described the group as a partner in progress, reiterating his administration’s readiness to ensure that youths are properly empowered through sound education.

    Ozumba, who recently received the 2016 Kwame Nkrumah Africa Leadership Award and the Best Southeast Vice-Chancellor Award, advised students to uphold good values and shun acts that could endanger their future.

  • Benue Varsity owes N3.8b, says VC

    The Vice Chancellor of Benue State University (BSU) Makurdi, Prof Msugh Kembe, says the institution is owing N3.8 billion.

    He said this at the opening of a retreat for deans, directors and heads of departments of BSU in Makurdi.

    He explained that the debt included arrears of pension, death benefits and earned allowances liabilities.

    “The university is in arrears of pension in excess of N500 million; death benefits liability of the university is close to N300 million while earned allowances liability is in excess of N3 billion,” Kembe said.

    He said BSU was no longer receiving funds from the state government, adding that capital projects were mostly funded by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and the state Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).

    The vice chancellor further lamented that efforts to improve the internally generated revenue of the university by increasing user charges were frustrated.

    BSU Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Zachary Gundu, warned lecturers against sexual harassment, admission racketeering and corruption.

    “There are vices we must avoid if we have to build a BSU of our dream. Lack of transparency breeds rumours and speculations.

    “We must also choose to be authentic and be prepared to cut away everything that is not ours.

    “If cultism is not ours, we must stamp it out completely. If cheating, sexual harassment and plagiarism are not ours, we must reject everything about it.

    “If admission racketeering is not ours, we must stamp it out quickly, and if corruption is not ours, we must do everything possible to be above board,” Gundu said.

    The don said the council was not satisfied with the quality of the institution’s projects and the quality of inventories kept in offices about suppliers.

    He charged management to explore new teaching pedadgogy which he belives would afford students opportunities to experience quality, thereby improving standards.

    “The student who is forced to put money in his or her project in order for the supervisor to grade it is passing through an experience that will destroy our reputation.

    He said available records from the visitation panel showed that the previous management was not truthful to both staff and students, leading to much compromises in the system.

  • LASU VC: education key to national growth

    LASU VC: education key to national growth

    LAGOS State University (LASU) Vice Chancellor Prof Olarenwaju Fagbohun has canvassed good education for youths and governance as panacea for national development.

    Fagbohun, who was guest speaker at the installation of Lanre Akintilo as president of Rotary Club of  Gbagada in Onikan, Lagos recently, noted that education could galvanise youths for development since ‘’they are the greatest assets of a nation’’. He said youths have enormous energy, do protest the present and have no fear about the future. He urged the youth to embrace education and use their abilities and training to tackle the challenges facing the country.

    Speaking on Education, youth and national development –redefining the future of Nigeria, Fagbohun said: “Education develops the personality of the individual and significance of his life to himself and to others. With the right education, our youth will be empowered to pierce the curtain of the future and give shape and usage to mysteries still in the womb of time. Getting governance right is the key to ensuring that our youth positioned to contribute to national development.’’

    The professor of Environmental Law said since the adults, who are leaders today, were yesterday’s youths, they had failed us, noting that the youths could not contribute meaningfully  to national development because they have been neglected by the leaders and this had  led to their frustration and despondence. He added: “I am convinced that the situation is not helpless and that, indeed, there is so much that we can do to bring about desired changes.’’

    Fagbohun called for good governance, adding that Nigeria’s problems were caused by bad administration over the years. Good governance, he said, translates to respect for rule of law, human rights, transparency, lack of corruption, effective institutions, conflict resolution mechanism, among others. ‘’When good governance is enthroned, it will bring together the cooperation of the public sector, the business community, civil society and organisations like Rotary,’’ he added.

    He said governance would assist the government to have in place frameworks for managing its problems and move the country forward. He called for strategic governance that would encourage policy experimentation and learning and push the ministries, departments and agencies to be inclusive, transparent and accountable.

  • Benue Varsity owes N3.8b, says VC

    The Vice Chancellor of Benue State University (BSU) Makurdi, Prof Msugh Kembe, says the institution is owing N3.8 billion.

    He said this at the opening of a retreat for deans, directors and heads of departments of BSU in Makurdi.

    He explained that the debt included arrears of pension, death benefits and earned allowances liabilities.

    “The university is in arrears of pension in excess of N500 million; death benefits liability of the university is close to N300 million while earned allowances liability is in excess of N3 billion,” Kembe said.

    He said BSU was no longer receiving funds from the state government, adding that capital projects were mostly funded by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and the state Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).

    The vice chancellor further lamented that efforts to improve the internally generated revenue of the university by increasing user charges were frustrated.

    BSU Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Zachary Gundu, warned lecturers against sexual harassment, admission racketeering and corruption.

    “There are vices we must avoid if we have to build a BSU of our dream. Lack of transparency breeds rumours and speculations.

    “We must also choose to be authentic and be prepared to cut away everything that is not ours.

    “If cultism is not ours, we must stamp it out completely. If cheating, sexual harassment and plagiarism are not ours, we must reject everything about it.

    “If admission racketeering is not ours, we must stamp it out quickly, and if corruption is not ours, we must do everything possible to be above board,” Gundu said.

    The don said the council was not satisfied with the quality of the institution’s projects and the quality of inventories kept in offices about suppliers.

    He charged management to explore new teaching pedadgogy which he belives would afford students opportunities to experience quality, thereby improving standards.

    “The student who is forced to put money in his or her project in order for the supervisor to grade it is passing through an experience that will destroy our reputation.

    He said available records from the visitation panel showed that the previous management was not truthful to both staff and students, leading to much compromises in the system.

  • NIM honours JABU VC, others

    THE Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) has honoured the Vice-Chancellor Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Arakeji Ikeji, Osun State, Prof. Sola Fajana.

    Fajana was honored with NIM fellowship alongside other notable Nigerians such as Chief of Naval Staff Vice- Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; and Director, Human Resources Management Department, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Alhaji Aminu Anans.

    The honor was conferred on them  at NIM’s 2016 Awards, Fellows and Spouse’s Day luncheon organised by the institute in Lagos.

    The event tagged ‘Re-branding the Nigerian professional from Goodness to Greatness’ was in recognition of the crucial roles that the inductees played as prime drivers of management values, standards and professionalism in Nigeria.

    Speaking at the event, the President and Chairman of Council, Prof. Munzali Jibril, enjoined the recipients to be good ambassadors of the institute.

    They were also reminded that NIM status is sacred and holds no compromise.

    Fajana, a top notch human resource and management expert cum consultant, was recognised for his wealth of experience, achievements and service to the country, the institute, and the academic environment.

    Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Fajana described the award as a call to higher service to NIM, management profession, and the nation as a whole.

  • ASUU strike’ll end soon, says AAUA VC

    The Vice Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, (AAUA) Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, has assured that the on-going industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the institution will soon end.

    Ajibefun gave the assurance while speaking with reporters in his office at the weekend.

    The VC said, “Our academic calendar has been very smooth until recently when the university began to face some challenges in terms of payment of salaries, which is not unconnected with the economic recession in the country.

    “Very soon, all the issues will be resolved. We are in a progressive talk with the leadership of ASUU. Efforts are in the top gear to ensure that ASUU members go back to class. Very soon, our students will be asked to return to campus.”

    Reacting to speculations that the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) at AAUA has been proscribed, following a protest by some members of the association, which led to the disengagement of its executives in 2012, Ajibefun said the union was never banned in the university.

    “There is no record whatsoever that says SSANU has been banned. The Management is not against its resuscitation. Everybody has the right to freedom of association and such a right has not been taken away from SSANU,” he said.

  • EKSU VC urges new SU leaders to serve

    The Vice Chancellor of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Prof Samuel Oye Bandele, has charged the newly elected members of the students Union executive to brace for the challenge of leadership, as their election was a call to service.

    He made the remarks when the executives, led by the President, David Aridiogo, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

    The VC announced that EKSU Ventures would soon produce bottled water and bread, asking the students to patronise the venture.

    He promised to welcome the students in his office at all times, urging them to come up with innovations that could improve the quality of life and academic profile of the institution.

    The SU also brought up issues affecting EKSU students, including health care, summer school, affordable internet access as well as grants to the body.

    Congratulating the new executives, Bandele assured them that the requests would be looked into and counselled them to plan for their future.

    Other members of the exco are: Ruquayat Tella (Vice president I); Julius Oyesanya (Vice president II); Temitope Emmanuel (General Secretary); Samuel Ibukun (Financial Secretary); Wahab Anjorin (Treasurer); Oluwasheyi Adio (Public Relations Officer); Adedamola Roy (Welfare Director); Demilade Fayemi (Social Director); and Abubakar Suaanala (Sports Director).

  • VC: only five injured in building collapse

    VC: only five injured in building collapse

    Vice Chancellor of the Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil, Prof Shehu Alhaji Musa has debunked rumours that 20 people died when part of a building collapsed in the Department of Architecture.

    Musa, at an emergency news conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, said only five persons sustained injuries, while no life was lost in the accident.

    The VC explained that of the five, two had been discharged.

    He said only one suffered a fracture, insisting no student was injured, contrary to reports.

    “We assure parents that our students are safe. Immediately after the incident, we mobilised security agencies and health workers from within and outside the university community to the scene.”

    Prof Musa hinted that the university authorities have raised a committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the incident, adding that excavation has begun.

  • Adeleke varsity gets VC

    Prof Samuel Ekundayo Alao has been appointed the President and Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Adeleke University in Ede  Osun State. He will resume work next month.

    A statement from the institution said the governing council, headed by Mr Adedeji Adeleke, also appointed other principal officers.

    Prof Alao attended Andrews University, Berrien Springs Michigan and the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, USA, where he obtained a Bachelor, Master, Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Mass Communication and Media Studies, and International Relations, and Leadership.

    Alao was the Provost, College of Social Sciences, Babcock University, where he also served as Deputy Vice Chancellor. He was General Manager of Times Publications Division of The Daily Times Nigeria Plc.

    The other principal officers are: Prof Solomon Adebola, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr Toyin Onayinka, Vice President, Enrolment/Record, Basil Chukwuemeka, Vice President, Financial Administration/ Bursar, Uloma Onuoha, University Librarian, and Pastor Olugbenga Efuntade, the University Pastor, the first to hold the position.

  • Varsity senate should set admission standard, says VC

    Vice-Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria Prof. Ibrahim Garba has said the senate of universities should set standards for admission into their institutions.

    Garba spoke while answering questions at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

    The vice-chancellor faulted the situation where the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Ministry of Education set standards for admission into the university.

    “Universities have autonomy by law; each university should set its criteria for taking students.

    “But of course JAMB and the ministry are saying that because it is our country, we must have a policy that regulates, so that we have a good balance but not on quality.

    “A university senate is supposed to set standard for accepting students that it takes and train and graduate.

    “We are hoping that soon we will resolve this matter because it is getting more embarrassing.

    “Even the state universities have told the Federal Government that education is in the concurrent list in the constitution.

    “The Federal Government has no control and should not have control over a state university; they have a council appointed by the governor.

    “They can only fulfil NUC’s standard requirements, but not admission quota.’’

    He said the minister’s directive leading to the scrapping of the post-Unified Matriculation Examination (post-UTME) created an impasse in universities as they were yet to begin admissions.

    According to him, universities cannot take products of JAMB without further testing them.

    The vice-chancellor said universities, being the recipients of the candidates, should be able to select those they could train.

    “We found it as universities that post-UTME tests are the best to get the best.

    “JAMB is only trying to improve, but still not perfect to a point that we can trust.’’

    “Post-UTME has a history; even when it started, JAMB encouraged us to do it.

    “JAMB is improving, but it is not yet there because every year we receive these products and we see what they are,’’ he said.

    He said that in 2016, ABU had 49,000 applicants, who scored above 180 points while its admission capacity was 6,500.