The Deans of Faculties, native communities, directors of centres, and heads of departments at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) have expressed their support for Professor Aisha Maikudi as the newly appointed substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University.
They have also asked all stakeholders to give the new Vice-Chancellor the necessary support to succeed in her new role, given the urgent need to transform the University to an enviable standard and global competitiveness.
They spoke on Thursday during a brief interactive session with the new Vice-Chancellor, where they congratulated her on the appointment and expressed confidence in her ability to take the University to the next level of development.
Speaking on behalf of the deans, Prof. Abdulfatai Jimoh, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, said, “It is Allah who gives position to whosoever He wishes.”
He commended her academic excellence, leadership acumen, and commitment to the growth of the institution.
He assured the Vice-Chancellor of the full support of over 17 faculties and deans, stating that the process leading to her appointment was without any violations.
“We are here this morning, as your representatives in our various faculties, to come and pay our congratulatory visit to you on your emergence, which is the will of Almighty Allah, as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja.
“As senior members of the University of Abuja, we are here to assure you and to tell the real world that the process that led to your emergence as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja was without any violation of rank or any breach of extant laws as far as the University of Abuja is concerned.”
Sadiq Abba, Director of the Centre for Distance Learning at the University of Abuja, speaking on behalf of the directors, congratulated the Vice-Chancellor, urging her to reconcile all the forces she had overcome.
He urged the VC to stand tall and manage an institution with significant diversity in religion, tribe, ethnicity, and sectionalism. “So, please, we should be able to now govern, reconcile, and bring them in. But for people who want to fight and spread lies, we are ready to fight.”
Prof. Maikudi, in her response, thanked the members of the academic community for their solidarity and show of support, saying that she counted on their continued backing.
“I’ve been here since 2008. I started my career here in 2008 as a lecturer II. And then I moved on to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Office, where I worked with, I think, all the units and departments.
“And that was when we established our relationship. We were the university, and to make the university move forward and be peaceful during my term as the Acting Vice-Chancellor. What we did was come together as one.
“When we knew we were fractured and needed to heal, it was our home. So we all came together, and you all gave me the support I needed. There was nothing I didn’t ask any of you that you didn’t do.
“No matter what time it was, how early or how late, you all stood up to the challenge and helped me succeed. All the achievements I had during my term—it was a short term of six months, but it was a very impactful period because we had so many issues that we needed to solve. And you all gave me the support.”
Earlier, Professor Mathew Dada, Director of Community Development, who spoke on behalf of the natives, said they were strongly behind her appointment.
He extended the support of the indigenes and the Royal Fathers for the success of the Vice-Chancellor’s administration.
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