The task before OAU’s new VC

I join the multitude who have congratulated the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Eyitayo Ogunbodede. His appointment is a relief after the turbulence that characterised the exit of the former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tale Omole. At least, the expectation and anxiety of a substantive head to take over from the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Anthony Elujoba, would be no more.    Democracy is a model OAU embraces and cherishes. The unions and their members are always ready to take to the streets if they feel they are not heard. The school can be closed till they have their voices heard. Industrial actions such as strike taint the image of an administration while smooth running of the school can add more feathers to the cap of an administration. Prof. Ogunbodede should be a product and producer of democracy.

Mr. Wole Odewumi, the NASU chairman described the appointment process as “transparent and acceptable” while the appointee himself said it followed due process. Transparency, accountability and acceptability are what the medical doctor cannot afford to overlook. These, of course, will boost the support and jubilation that heralded his selection and appointment. All stakeholders in the university should be taken and carried along in his tenure.  One thing that the Acting Vice Chancellor did that earned him popular support among students is that he himself visited some of the halls of residence. He was warmly welcomed by the students with drums and trumpets. He had firsthand information.

The new VC should not leave the activities of the halls and students’ welfare to the Division of Student Affair (DSA) and Hall Wardens alone. Another advantage of this is that he can use the scheduled visit to briefly interact and negotiate with the students. They are not rebels or anti-management. They have listening ears as the new VC is expected to, too. This visit is not the same as the regular meetings he should be having with the representatives of the Students’ Union. The over 30,000 students are also stakeholders to be consulted. I will rather implore the new head to consider this.

The teacher of dentists said that he would ensure the inclusion of some programmes such as Mass Communication to the over 100 that the school currently has. Wonderful! But it will be better to see the promise fulfilled. But one other thing I think he should also consider is the need for more facilities. The existing programmes are not having enough facilities for learning. Adding more courses without adequate provision can only worsen the horrible situation the facilities are now. Most of the lecture theatres and laboratories are not well equipped. Perhaps before adding to what we have, the numerous existing errors should be rectified. More mistakes will be committed and the the issue of overcrowding be compounded. The issue has not just emerge: negligence on the part of the management and the large number of intakes over the years contributed to the challenge. It is advisable to have a committee to look into the matter. And I am very sure, the new VC will have a good score at the end of his renewable tenure.

Another important thing to note is the need for harmony between the management and ASUU, SSANU and NASU. These unions contributed immensely to the success in the selection and appointment. Their contribution did not end there.  It took the intervention of eminent Nigerians like the late Oba Sijuwade Okunade to settle the showdown between the management and NASU in 2015. It will accord the new VC much honour if he can just live up to his word. Any agreement made with the unions should be implemented. The previous ones can be reviewed before the agitations begin.

Lastly, the overall development of our dear university, though a responsibility of all, depend on the efficiency and effectiveness of the new VC. All eyes will soon be on him to overhaul the school and bring it to a position whereby it will be cynosure of every eye here in Nigeria, and be among the international, prestigious universities. He is having a lot to do and the university community believes in his capacity and prowess. As he is preparing to face the challenge, I wish him a successful stay in office.

• Faboade writes in from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.