LASU VC appointment: We’re awaiting, but not in hurry ― Workers, students

Members of staff and students of Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo have said though, they were all awaiting the appointment of a new substantive vice-chancellor for the university, they were not in a hurry.

They said what they were interested in is for the joint-selection committee headed by the chairman of the governing council, Prof Adebayo Ninalowo, and saddled with the responsibility of appointing a new VC, to do a thorough and unbiased job notwithstanding spending more than 45 days given to them by the governor of Lagos State, who is also the visitor to the university, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after cancelling the first process on the premise of being marred with multiple complaints.

Recall that Sanwo-Olu had on January 8, cancelled the first selection process and ordered a repeat of the process and to last 45 days, which by calculation, has now extended as of today to 62 days with the committee still on the assignment.

Recall also that the governor asked the Senate of the university on that same date to appoint an acting Vice-Chancellor, the development that produced the incumbent Prof Oyedamola Oke.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that though the committee would conduct the last interview for all the remaining eight candidates on the list at the institution’s College of Medicine (LASUCOM) in Ikeja by 11.00 am today.

In the list according to our checks include Professor Senapon Bakre, former deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university; Professor Kabir Akinyemi, former Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities of the branch and later Dean of Students Affairs; Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, Director of Research and Innovation Management of the university; Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, former acting vice-chancellor of the university.

Others are Professor Muyiwa Awofolu from Namibian University of Science and Technology; Prof Wahab Elias, current Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university; Prof Adewale Noah, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university; and Prof. Biodun Adewuya.

It is expected that the committee would thereafter forward the three most successful candidates among them as a recommendation to the governor to pick the ninth VC of LASU from as constitutionally permitted to do so.

However, while the committee is expected to conclude its own assignment today, the university workers and students said they are patiently awaiting the result of the process.

They said even though they were not in a hurry, they were interested in who becomes their next vice-chancellor.

Chairman of ASUU of the branch, Dr Ibrahim Bakare and his colleagues in charge of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Mr Saheed Oseni and that of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Mr Moruf Ige Sanni; and a cross-section of students, told Nigerian Tribune in a separate exclusive interview on Wednesday that though, they were not in doubt of the integrity of the selection committee members, their decision should be to the best interest of LASU and not individual nor groups.

They said all they wanted them to do is to continue to follow due process and ensure their assignment produced the best for the university.

They said though they knew that government’s role in selecting the best among names to be forwarded to him is more critical and delicate, the committee’s assignment is a gatekeeper.

They said LASU could not afford to go back again having been put from nowhere to the right path by the immediate past vice-chancellor of the university, Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun, who left the office on January 11 following the expiration of his five-year single tenure.

They said as critical stakeholders in the system, they wanted the university to continue progressing in all spheres including having a good image, united workers and students, uninterrupted academic calendar, peaceful atmosphere and be a good partner with the state government, promotion of scholarship, networking, the attraction of more research grants, winning of more laurels.

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