The recent leadership changes within the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has given hope for the return of probity and sanity in the running of the affairs of tertiary institutions, particularly the recruitment process of Vice Chancellors.
Professor Barnabas Iliya, an alumnus of the university, who made the observation while speaking to journalists in Abuja on Friday, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has proved to sceptics that his administration was sincere about its renewed hope agenda.
He stressed that the reshuffling of the leadership organogram of some universities is strong pointer that the Federal Government was interested in making Nigerian universities true citadels of learning.
Recall that President Tinubu on Thursday announced the overhaul at some federal universities, including UNN, Yakubu Gowon University Abuja, and University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu dissolved the entire governing council of Yakubu Gowon University and replaced Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi with Prof. Lar Patricia Manko, who will serve as Acting Vice-Chancellor.
Also, the President replaced Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNN with Prof. Oguejiofo T. Ujam, who is to act in the same position for the next six months.
Speaking on the development in UNN, Prof. Iliya praised President Tinubu for listening to the call by the Alumni of the institution on the need to preserve the integrity of the recruitment process for Vice Chancellors, adding that the presidential intervention offers hope that things must be done in line with excellent tradition of the foremost tertiary institution.
He stated: “Nigerians will recall that barely two weeks ago we sounded a note of caution in the way things are being done regarding the appointment of Vice Chancellors. We called for caution in UNN to preserve the prevailing academic peace and social harmony in the institution.
“We also explained that our concern arose from the need to insulate UNN from the recriminations that trailed similar exercises in Nnamdi Azikiwe University of Awka and Yakubu Gowon University, formerly University of Abuja.
“Today, we are happy that President Tinubu showed that he is a listening Presidency by intervening to arrest the simmering sounds of approaching trouble in these notable universities. While we commend the President for this spontaneous show of leadership, we urge the new helmsmen to toe the path of excellence and probity.”
Professor Iliya noted that the appointment of Prof. Ujam, a no-nonsense academic disciplinarian, as the acting VC of UNN has gone a long way to convince stakeholders that plans are afoot for serious sanitisation of the recruitment process.
“As alumni of the UNN, we are happy that Prof. Ujam’s efforts to sanitise the School of General Studies have been recognised. We are therefore elated that this thorough-bred academic was appointed by President Tinubu to oversee the overall administration of the university.
“This goes to show that indeed the President is adept at head hunting experts for essential responsibilities. We are eager to see our UNN climb high in the ranking of Universities through excellence in character and learning to ensure that it delivers on its core mandate of restoring the dignity of mankind,” Prof. Iliya stated.
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