Agitation for indigenous VCs: Nigerian varsities no longer universal — ASUU
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Loading... - Rukayat Alli
- 04 Apr 2022
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The union, through the National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, in a chat with Vanguard, also said universities are universal in nature and that appointments there should be devoid of ethnic and other sentiments. The union was reacting to the recent action by some people in Ile Ife who protested against the choice of a non-indigene as the VC of Obafemi Awolowo University.
“They have taken universality out of the university system in the country. Assuming without conceding the fact, does it mean an ile Ife son has not been vice chancellor in any other university? That is the ridiculous level we have found ourselves regarding the handling of education issues in the country We now have a situation whereby some members of Governing Councils are appointed because of political considerations not competence. Some of them don’t know their onions.
“When Adamu Baike was the VC of UNIBEN did where he came from matter? Eni Njoku was VC in UNILAG, Dike was VC in UI. Is VC not about being competent? So, the VCs in all universities in the South-West must be Yoruba, those in the North must be Hausa/Fulani and those in the South-East must be Igbo? The university is universal and a Russian can be heading a university in America and vice versa.”
He also wondered if the funds used in setting up these universities were sourced from their host communities only. The ASUU boss also blamed the government for not putting the right persons in the Governing Councils of the universities, saying some council members lacked the knowledge of how to run the universities.
In recent times, the choice of who become the VCs of some universities has been turned into what some people have labelled ‘a show of shame.’ Recently, some people took over the main gate of OAU to protest the non-recommendation of an Ife man as the next OAU VC.
Meanwhile, the Traditional Religion Worshippers Association has dissociated itself from the OAU protest. A statement by Chief Ifasola Onifade and Dr Oluseyi Atanda, exonerated the group from the issue. “While we recognise the inalienable right of whoever feels aggrieved to protest of any perceived injustice, we consider it strange that our sacred costumes, parapanelia and other items (except charms and strange objects as reported) synonymous with traditionalists were adorned by the protesters. Read More…
