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Tag: VC

  • Why Nigerian universities can’t be autonomous – UniCal VC

    Why Nigerian universities can’t be autonomous – UniCal VC

    Prof. Florence Obi, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UniCal), says Nigerian universities cannot be financially autonomous, so long as they are not allowed to receive tuition fees from students.

    Obi said this on Thursday in Calabar when she spoke with journalists to mark her third year in office as the first female VC of the institution.

    She said that the salaries of university workers were still being paid by the government, in addition to capital grants for development.

    ‘’This is in addition to support from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for facilities.

    ‘’If the students don’t pay tuition and the universities don’t get appropriate funding from government from where would the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) come from.

    “To survive, the universities resorted to charging students some service charges like examination, medical, ICT levies and it is these subheads students pay for that are cumulatively used to run the universities.

    “We don’t get money to run the universities from government, what government gives is overhead and for a second generation university like UniCal, we get N12 million monthly, for 2023 we have only gotten it for seven months,’’ she said.

    Obi added: “Even if we get it for 12 months which I doubt, that amount is only what we use to pay for energy bill to run the university.”

    She said that there was no way universities would have been able to remit 40 per cent of their IGR to government because it was impossible.

    ‘’If students were charged N2,000 for identity cards and 40 per cent is given to government, the school can’t provide the cards.

    ‘’If that policy had sailed through, it would have been the end of public universities in Nigeria but we are happy that good counsel prevailed and President Bola Tinubu listened,’’ she said.

    The VC however, added that universities in Nigeria still needed proper funding to run effectively.

    The Federal Government had unveiled an autonomy policy for the universities where they were expected to remit 40 per cent of their IGR to government before it was eventually discarded.

  • Insecurity: VC advises parents against buying costly phones for students

    Insecurity: VC advises parents against buying costly phones for students

    Prof. Noah Yusuf, Vice-Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, has advised parents and guardians against buying expensive  phones for their children.

    “Such expensive items expose such young people to kidnappers, robbers and other criminals,” Yusuf told the University’s stakeholders congress on Wednesday in Ilorin.

    He explained that the quality of phones and similar materials purchased for youths, particularly those who are still in school, have been found to be attractive to criminals.

    “That encourages them to either rob or kidnap such students in order to steal such property from them,” he said.

    While the phone is very essential for students as it aids teaching and learning,

    less expensive ones, which would serve the same functions, can be bought for the students and save them from criminally- minded individuals and groups.

    “Buying phones worth N1 million, or with higher sums, for students is not advisable since such students can make do with phones that are not as expensive,” he said.

    Citing a recent case, Yusuf said that a female student of the university was recently robbed of her hugely expensive phones, twice, by her boyfriend.

    “The boy friend believed that he would make much money if he was able to dispossess the girl of her expensive phones,” he said.

    Yusuf explained that following the first case of robbery, the parents of the girl bought her a better and more expensive phone, one only for the boyfriend to arrange for the theft of the second phone.

    He also advised parents to cultivate the habit of paying unscheduled visits to their children and wards so as to know the kind of friends they move with.

    “Such visits can help parents to take note of possible attitudinal changes for possible corrections,” he said.

     

  • Redeemer’s University appoints 4th substantive VC

    Redeemer’s University appoints 4th substantive VC

    The Board of Trustees of the Redeemer’s University (RUN), Ede, in Osun,  has appointed Prof. Shadrach Akindele, as the fourth substantive Vic-Chancellor of the university.

    Akindele, a full-time pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and a Professor of Forestry, would serve for a single term of five years.

    Mr Adetunji Adekeye,  the Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs Directorate of the university, in a statement on Wednesday in Osogbo, said Akindele’s appointment followed a rigorous recruitment exercise carried out by a professional recruiting firm and topnotch academics.

    He said that the recruitment was done in line with global best practices in headhunting for strategic positions in higher education institutions.

    Adekeye also quoted Pastor Olukayode Pitan,  the university’s Board of  Trustees Chairman, as saying that the appointment was expected  to usher in an era of innovation and academic excellence.

    Pitan said that with a remarkable track record in higher education and a deep commitment to fostering learning and research, Akindele was poised to make a lasting impact on the university and the broader academic community.

    According to the statement, Akindele attended the University of Ibadan where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Resources Management in 1985.

    After completing his National Youth Service Corps programme, he returned to the same University for his postgraduate studies and earned a Master of Science degree and Doctor of Philosophy in Forest Biometrics in 1987 and 1990, respectively.

    Akindele began his academic career as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Ibadan in 1987, and moved to the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), as an Assistant Lecturer in 1988.

    At FUTA, he rose through the ranks to become a professor in 2005 and had served in different capacities both within and outside the country.

    The statement also said that Akindele was ordained a full Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in 2009 and had continued to serve in various departments of the church.

    He is married to Pastor (Mrs.) Hannah Oluwatoyin Akindele and they are blessed with children.

    “His vision for Redeemer’s University is to promote a vibrant educational community where staff and students are supported to serve God in order to achieve academic excellence.

    Akindele is deeply committed to student success, and his tenure is expected to usher in new opportunities for research funding, international collaborations, and a strong emphasis on community outreach,” he said.

  • UniCal VC condemns alleged assault on students, calls for investigation

    UniCal VC condemns alleged assault on students, calls for investigation

    Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UniCal), has condemned an alleged assault on students of the institution by a suspected lecturer.

    Obi made the condemnation in a statement on Monday following a video clip that surfaced online on Sunday night, of a suspected lecturer in the institution flogging a group of students at the entrance to a classroom with a belt.

    She said according to reports, the students are of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, who were waiting for their practicals before the unfortunate incident occurred.

    “Although, I am currently on official function outside the state my attention has been drawn to the said clip.

    “The Acting VC, Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita, Director of ServiCom, Prof. Patrick Egaga, Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. Tony Enyang and the Acting Chief Security officer of the Institution, retired Capt. Austine Bisong are already handling it.

    “The said incident is unprofessional and against the university’s rules of engagement,” she said

    While condemning the incident, Obi appealed to the students and general public to maintain calm as justice would be served, adding that the investigation had commenced already.

  • UNILAG fees: Why return to status quo is difficult – VC

    UNILAG fees: Why return to status quo is difficult – VC

    The University of Lagos says the increase of obligatory fees is not intended to stop indigent students from accessing quality education.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, made the assertion at a virtual news conference on Saturday night in Lagos, where she explained why it would be difficult to return the fees to the former rates.

    Recall that the institution had, through a statement issued on Aug. 21, announced an adjustment in obligatory fees in the university.

    It said that the adjustment, which would take effect from the first semester of 2023/2024 academic session, was in view of the prevailing economic realities and the need for the university to be able to meet its obligation to its students, staff and municipal service providers, among others.

    It further noted that the mandatory charges for one academic session for new undergraduate students include N126,325, for courses without laboratory/studio.

    The statement also indicated N176,325 as mandatory charges for one academic session for courses with laboratory and studio.

    A further breakdown of the approved mandatory charges for one academic year or session for returning students showed that they would pay N100,750 for courses without laboratory and studio, among others.

    Reacting to the development, students of the university embarked on a peaceful protest on Sept. 6, to register their displeasure, over the move.

    The students threatened to deploy every means within their reach to stifle the move, if the university failed to reason with them.

    Ogunsola, explaining the position of the institution concerning the hike, said that the move was necessary for the university to meet its mandates.

    She said it could no longer do so with what the charges used to be for over 15 years now.

    “There has been this call for us to return the fees to status quo and we want to share why this could be a little bit difficult.

    “We are of the belief that even those who do not have a lot of money deserve quality education. We have bills to pay, which informs why we are where we are and why we need to adjust.

    ”The universities are for our children. What quality of education do we want to bequeath to them? All we are doing is to ensure that they are not disenfranchised in the job market.

    ”It is not an emotional thing, it is about what we need to do to survive and remain relevant,” she said.

    She added that the University of Lagos prides itself in qualitative education and research outputs.

    “We feel the pains too, even as management of the university,  because we are also parents. We have our children here too. But truth be told, we cannot continue to go the way we are going if we truly want to give our students the best and equip them with 21st-century skills.

    “The increase in the obligatory fees is not targeted at stopping indigent students from accessing quality education. The challenge I see is, we have to look at universities from all angles, especially with the current economic crunch in the country.

    “My question now too is, how do we get the things we need to acquire this quality education? Somebody has to pay for it. This whole issue is not only about UNILAG.

    “Lots of other federal universities in the country have also reviewed their fees and even higher at that,  just to ensure that they remain relevant.

    ” I have no issue with students protesting peacefully, but I have issues with violent protest. Part of protest is about how students express critical thinking, and that is encouraged.

    “I know it will not sound strange to you to understand that as we speak, some secondary schools charge even higher than the current review.

    “Having said all these though, I want to assure that none of our students will drop out of school because of the current hike of obligatory fees,” Ogunsola said.

    According to her, already, aside from the palliatives roles out to cushion the effects of the hike, the university is in talks with prominent members of the society on the need for them to adopt a student for sponsorship in the institution.

    She expressed delight at the level of response, noting that already,  some persons had indicated interest in the initiative.

    Ogunsola listed high electricity tariffs, running into over N1 billion, and cost for conducting examinations and verifying results as some of the concerns that gave rise to the review of the obligatory fees.

    She said others include accreditation of courses as well as maintenance of key infrastructure in the university annually.

    According to the vice-chancellor, government on its part is also bearing a huge amount of costs in ensuring that these universities meet up with their mandate of teaching, research, and community service.

    She noted that the obligatory fees were arrived at after due consultations with critical stakeholders, as well as Council of the university, before its dissolution by the Federal Government.

    According to the don, electricity, and internet services are two critical components in running a university successfully.

    Ogunsola expressed readiness to continually engage students and other key stakeholders of the university on matters that affect them and finding means of getting prompt solutions to them.

  • NUC, VCs deny bribery allegation against Reps C’ttee

    NUC, VCs deny bribery allegation against Reps C’ttee

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) and Committee of Vice Chancellors (VCs) have denied bribery and extortion allegations against the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee probing job racketeering and mismanagement of IPPIS in MDAs.

    Prof. Chris Maiyaki, the acting Executive Secretary, NUC, and Prof. Isiah Tanko, the VC of University of Jos, denied the allegation as reported by an online medium.

    They denied the report attributed to them when they jointly appeared before the committee in Abuja on Friday.

    Speaking on the issue as reported by the medium which alleged that the committee collected money from NUC and VCs for soft landing over the probe, the NUC official said the report was baseless.

    According to him, the publication is regrettable, whatever the substance is, we wish that this does not impugn the partnership we have with the lawmakers which we should be promoting.

    Maiyaki said the universities occupied a special place in the life of any nation, advising that the lawmakers and the universities should come together to create a game changer for the country.

    On his part, Tanko, who represented Prof. Lilian Salami, the Chairman of the Committee of VCs, said they read the publication, but added that the VCs were not part of the allegation.

    “”We read the disturbing publication and I can say that the VCs were not part of that and we did not provide any bribe to anybody,

    “”We all dispersed from the committee investigative hearing as soon as we finished the last time we appeared before you,” said the representatives of the VCs.

    Maiyaki stressed that: “Soliciting money for bribes is out of contest and not true, the reporter did not find out the fact. We have hope and confidence in this ad hoc committee.”

    He said more than five programmes of University of Jos were in danger of being dis-accredited because of lack of manpower, adding “we were looking up to the committee to correct that”.

    The Chairman of the Adhoc Committee, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, however noted that the publication was a sponsored to divert the attention of the members from finding out the deep rooted evil that existed in public sectors.

    “”It is not even our mandate to investigate the publication by Premium Times, but to investigate alleged racketeering in MDAs.

    “”The investigating authorities like the ICPC and EFCC have been given the mandate to investigate those allegations and the account number,” he said.

  • UNICAL replaces suspended Dean of Law faculty

    UNICAL replaces suspended Dean of Law faculty

    Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, has approved the appointment of Dr. Rose Ugbe as the Acting Dean, Faculty of Law.

    A statement by the Registrar of the University, Mr Gabriel Egbe, said that Ugbe would replace Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the former Dean, who was suspended on Aug. 17 following allegations bordering on highhandedness.

    Egbe is specifically accused of improper behaviour towards female students, among other irregularities.

    Already, a seven-man panel has been set up to look into the allegations.

    The statement indicated that Ugbe’s appointment took effect from Tuesday, August 22, and would run till a substantive Dean is elected for the faculty.

    It said that Ugbe would take up the responsibilities and duties associated with the office and also oversee the faculty’s academic programmes.

    She would also foster a healthy relationship among staff and students, and create a positive environment for teaching and learning in the faculty.

    Other functions include supporting faculty members in their research activities and collaborating with the University administration to implement and actualise the institution’s vision.

  • UNICAL management has no vested interest in Dean’s suspension – VC

    UNICAL management has no vested interest in Dean’s suspension – VC

    Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Calabar, (Unical), has disclosed that the management of the institution had no vested interest in the suspension of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, former Dean of the Faculty of Law.

    Obi made this known in a press briefing on Monday in Calabar, following allegations that some senior members of staff of the institution wanted the professor out.

    It would be recalled that Ndifon was on Aug. 17 suspended by the institution after he responded to a query given to him by the school management.

    The query followed allegations of high handedness, improper behaviour towards female students, extortion, and unequal treatment among others.

    The VC said, following the response to the query from the former Dean over the allegations leveled against him by staff and students of the faculty of law, they were left with no other option other than to set up an investigative panel.

    She said the panel, which followed the  public service rules, would involve some staff of the faculty, the institution’s alumni, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, (FCCPC), and police among others.

    “On Thursday Aug. 10, some law students led by their president came to my office to see me on some alleged improprieties going-on in their faculty and dropped a formal petition.

    “Based on the issues that were raised by the students, the management decided to meet with senior academics in the faculty and while we were having the said meeting on Aug. 14, we were informed that some students were protesting.

    “We granted the students audience and they raised issues that bordered on accountability, abuse of office, extortion, sexual harassment and many others”, she said, alleging that sexual harassment gained more prominence in the public space.

    She assured the students that the allegations would be looked into but the meeting with the senior staff of the faculty that continued later, revealed many other allegations not touched by the protesting students.

    According to her, the management resolved with the staff of the faculty of law on the need for some basic changes to be effected in the faculty to prevent what they termed as the overbearing influence of the Dean in the faculty.

    “Some of the immediate decisions we took was setting up a committee on student mobilisation to law school because the students had alleged that the Dean was being selective and using female students as bait.

    “We also mandated the committee to look at the list of law school students that had been sent by the former Dean and if need be, the list will be recalled.

    “While we removed two examination officers from the faculty and set-up a vetting committee following allegations of result manipulations, we also set up a student project committee that will be assigning projects and grading.

    “This follows allegations that the former Dean was in the habit of selecting only female students as his supervisees thereby making them vulnerable,” he said

    She maintained that the management had ordered a compilation and submission of list of students extorted by the faculty, to be refunded following allegations of extortion of students in the faculty, among other weighty allegations.

    While adding that the management would not fold its hands and accept ugly scenerios in the institution, both the students and staff who had alleged and the accused former Dean would be given the opportunity to defend themselves before the panel.

  • Count yourselves lucky, LASU VC tells matriculating students

    Count yourselves lucky, LASU VC tells matriculating students

    The Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has told the newly admitted students to count themselves lucky, being among the few that sailed through the institution’s admission process.

    She said that of over 40,000 applicants for admission, only 10,301 students were taking part in the matriculation for the 2022/2023 academic session of the university.

    Olatunji-Bello spoke at the matriculation ceremony, at the university’s Ojo campus, on Tuesday, in Lagos.

    “You must count yourselves very lucky to be among the very few, of those that applied. It is on this note that I will advise you to face your studies so as not to lose the huge opportunity of getting university education.

    “In order to promote healthy competition, we have put in place a policy that guarantees 50 percent refund of tuition fee alone to university scholars.

    “This is the category of students who consistently maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.50 every session,” she said.

    The vice chancellor said that in LASU, freedom often comes with equivalent obligations and boundaries, and the institution takes pride in training students for the life ahead.

    “We are focused on character development of our students; this is based on the hope that when you graduate, you will contribute meaningfully to developmental discourses around the globe.

    “Our objective at LASU is to produce graduates who will be catalysts to the process of transformation of the state to a greater Lagos.

    “We also stress that the university under my administration has zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence.

    “It informed our decision to establish the Directorate of Response and Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence,” she added.

    The vice chancellor advised the matriculating students not to keep silent when they were harassed or assaulted in any manner.

    “If you see something, say something; show respect to your colleagues and staff in the university to make your stay successful and productive.

    “Finally, I enjoin you to strive for academic excellence in all that you do. It is my prayer that at the end of your programmes, we shall come together to celebrate your graduation,” Olatunji-Bello said.

    Prof Tajudeen Olumokun, Dean LASU Student Affairs, advised the students to be law abiding according to the laid down rules and regulations of the institution.

  • BREAKING: Ex-OAU VC, Prof Cyril Onwumechili is dead

    BREAKING: Ex-OAU VC, Prof Cyril Onwumechili is dead

    The Authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, say they received, with a heavy heart and deep sadness, the news of the passing of the fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Cyril Onwumechili, at 91.

    This is contained in a release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, on Friday in Ile-Ife.

    Olarenwaju stated that the esteemed former Vice-Chancellor was a visionary leader, an exceptional academic, and a compassionate individual, who made invaluable contributions to the growth and success of institution.

    According to him, Onwumechili was Vice Chancellor of the University from 1979 to 1982.

    The PRO said that the renowned Physicist, Prof Onwumechili, played a pivotal role in shaping the university’s trajectory, steering it towards excellence and upholding its commitment to academic rigor, innovation, and societal impact.

    Olarenwaju described the late University helmsman as a detribalised Nigerian and a renowned academic of high repute.

    The current Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Adebayo Simeon Bamire, said that Onwumechili championed progressive policies, fostered a vibrant academic community, and favoured inclusivity.

    He said that late Onwumechili left an indelible mark on the 62-year-old University and the countless lives he touched.

    “Under Prof. Onwumechili’s leadership, the University experienced remarkable growth and advancement in various fields of study, research, and outreach.

    “As he spearheaded strategic initiatives that fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, established partnerships with renowned institutions worldwide, and ensured the university’s relevance in an ever-evolving global landscape,” he stated.

    Prof Bamire further explained that beyond his administrative duties, ”Professor Onwumechili was an exceptional scholar, renowned for his groundbreaking research as a Physicist.”

    He said Onwumechili inspired generations of students and faculty members through his profound knowledge, unwavering dedication, and unrelenting pursuit of academic excellence.

    The Vice-Chancellor added: “In fact, Professor Onwumechili was a compassionate mentor, a trusted confidant whose genuine concern for the well-being of staff, students and faculty resonated deeply within the University community, fostering an environment of support, growth and collaboration.”

    Prof Bamire, therefore, “extends OAU’s deepest condolences to Professor Cyril Agodi Onwumechili’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.”

    Bamire affirmed that the late former VC’s legacy will forever be etched in the annals of Obafemi Awolowo University, serving as a guiding light for future generations. The university will be forever grateful for his unwavering commitment and profound impact.