Gbenro Adesina
The contest for the position of the 13th Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), has taken a dimension of tribalism, as some interested individuals have commenced campaigns in favour of only Ibadan indigenes.
Among them is one Nurudeen Ariyo Owolarafe, who posted on Facebook, an extract from a letter titled, “UI Vice Chancellor Position” purportedly written by one Ismaila Ashipa, asking influential Ibadan indigenes to ensure that only an Ibadan indigene emerges as the next Vice Chancellor.
Among those copied were the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), the Ibadan Political Elites, All notable Ibadan sons and daughters.
The letter demanded that those that matter should ensure that the position is occupied by any of the three Ibadan indigenes contesting.
The Ibadan indigenes listed are: Professor Remi Raji-Oyelade, from the Department of English, Faculty of Arts, newly installed as Mogaji in the ancient city, Professor Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa, the outgoing Provost, College of Medicine, and Professor Talhatu Kolapo Hamzat.
The letter reads: “These are the sons of the soil, who have shown interest in the Vice Chancellor’s office of the prestigious University of Ibadan. All are true sons: they are our pride and are eminently qualified. Therefore, all Ibadan, irrespective of status or religious or political affiliation must rise up to support any of them in their quest to become the first Ibadan indigene to occupy the Vice Chancellorship seat of the University of Ibadan”.
Owolarafe emphasised that it is so bad that since 1948, (72 years ago) that the University has been established, no Ibadan man has been a VC in the institution, weeping up sentiment that if Ibadan people are not meat sellers as they are usually described, they should share the message that it is the turn of an Ibadan man..
His words in Yoruba reads: “Oburu jai pe lati 1948 (72 yrs ago), Kosi omo ibadan to se adari ibiri.. Se omo eleran ti won pewa niwa ni, ni tooto? Tobaje omo’badan tooto.. oya SHARE ti o fide odo awon tolenu lawujo”.
However, PrimeStarsNews has also gathered that another faction is campaigning along Islamic religious line, saying that it is the turn of the Muslims to produce the Vice Chancellor of the Premier University.
Among the prominent Nigerians said to be leading this cause is the Registrar, Joint Matriculation Board (JAMB), Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede.
It was further gathered that this faction has raised and saved huge amount of money in an Islamic bank to fund the campaign project.
Another faction seems to be banking on the power of incumbency.
However, some scholars in the institution have condemned the directions the contest is going, saying that it is ridiculous to reduce an academic position to a tribal and religious contest.
According to them, the University may be on the path of doom if stakeholders allow these factors to determine the emergence of the next Vice Chancellor, adding that scholarship and objective criteria should be the criteria for selecting the new Vice Chancellor.
A professor, who pleaded anonymity, said, “This is not good for this institution. This is an academic environment for goodness sake. UI belongs to the Federal Government. UI belongs to Nigeria and Nigerians and anybody who is qualified can aspire to be the Vice chancellor, irrespective of the tribe he or she comes from. Any individual from the West, East, North or South can be the VC”.
He concluded, “These academic politicians should not destroy this University, which is a legacy this nation is proud of”.
Another lecturer said this development is ugly, adding that all the contestants are meritoriously qualify without any consideration to religion and tribe.
She said, “First those you mentioned are ably qualify. They are more than qualify. Their CVs are intimidating and any of them have what it takes to win the position on merit. These are great scholars. I think whosoever that might have done this, did it for himself”.
There is fire on the mountain for the Academic standard of this Premier University if you allow tribalism and religious to set him.The admission process will be destroyed with moral standard.