Gbenro Adesina
The Management of the University of Ibadan (UI), under the leadership of an Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebola Babatunde Ekanola, has begun a process to conclude the aborted process of appointing the 13th Vice Chancellor for the nation’s Premier University.
Taking the first major stride that will lead to the conclusion of the process, Ekanola organised a stakeholders meeting, which was attended by four ex-Vice Chancellors of the institution to chat a way forward.
The Chancellors in attendance were: Professors Ayo Banjo, Omoniyi Adewoye, Ayodele Falase and Olufemi Bamiro. Others in attendance were internal members of Council and the internal candidates who applied for the position of Vice- Chancellor. The forum was chaired by Professor Banjo.
However, the immediate past Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole and his successor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka allegedly rooting for Professor Adeyinka Aderinto, Head of Department of Sociology and Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Academic, were absent from the meeting.
In his opening remarks, Banjo, the chair of the meeting said, “The meeting should be considered as a sacred duty and that the initiative was in the defence of the reputation of the University”.
The elders and stakeholders in the community were anxious that the culture and tradition of excellence that the University of Ibadan is known for is reflected in the process for the appointment of a substantive Vice- Chancellor”, he added.
Among the crucial decision unanimously agreed upon at the meeting according to a communiqué issued at the end of the stakeholders meeting held at Subomi Balogun Conference Centre on Tuesday December 22, 2020 as contained in a University Bulletin’s special release, 4342 are:
“That information on sensitive matters in the University especially those relating to the process of appointment of a substantive Vice- Chancellor should be well managed, treated with the confidentiality and should not be leaked to the Social Media;
“Constituent bodies (Council, Senate and Congregation) in the University should be apolitical in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities;
“Constituent bodies (Council, Senate and Congregation) should be able to resolve all issues internally, without undue externalisation; and
Extraneous factors should not be brought into the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor”.
The former VCs advised that other constituent bodies in the institution should defer to Council for directives in the process of appointment of Vice-Chancellor adding, “It is essential to respect the rule of law and due process in all matters”.
“The Governing Council and Senate should ensure openness in all processes and issues, all stakeholders should endeavour to build trust to prevent any form of prejudice or suspicion that could lead to crisis and bring disrepute to the good name of the University, the practice of openness and transparency in all matters will encourage stakeholders to accept the outcome of any process”, the University administrators added.
They appealed to members of the Community to eschew bitterness and worked harmoniously to redeem the image of the University.
Earlier, in his opening speech, Ekanola, who stated that the meeting was a family affair to discuss on issues that border on the development of the University, the collective well-being, and more importantly, the integrity of the University.
