Gbenro Adesina
As the tenure of the 12th Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), who was elected in 2015, is drawing to a close, the UI Community Forum on Thursday September 17, 2020, held an interactive session with the aspirants to the office of the Vice chancellor of the Premier University.
The five yearly forum, instituted in year 2000 by the joint unions of the University: Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff of Union (NASU) and the Students Union, provides opportunity for members of the University community to interact with the aspirants to know what they intend to do while in office.
The 2020 edition, which was held at the Trenchard Hall as well as virtually due to the Covid-19 restrictions, had 18 candidates jostling for the post: Kayode Oyebode ADEBOWALE, Adeyinka Abideen ADERINTO, Tal-hatu Kolapo HAMZAT, Aderemi RAJI-OYELADE, Hassan Ajisafe SALIU, Babatunde Lawal SALAKO, Oladele, Olatunde LAYIWOLA, Raheem Adebayo LAWAL, Clement Olusegun Olaniran KOLAWOLE, Emiola Oluwabunmi OLAPADE-OLAOPA, Olatunde Rom KALILU, Hakeem FAWEHINMI, Ebenezer Olatunde FAROMBI, Temitope Oluwagbenga ALONGE, Olusegun George ADEMOWO, Babatunde Lateef ADELEKE, Anthony Kayode ONIFADE, Femi MIMIKO.
However, only 16 out of the 18 candidates were physically present, while Anthony Kayode ONIFADE joined via zoom and Femi MIMIKO was absent.
The event, which had the Director, University Advancement Centre, Debo Adeosun as the Master of Ceremony, was chaired by veteran journalist, ace broadcaster and former Ambassador to the Republic of Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farombi and was moderated by former veteran journalist, Bisi Adesola.
The chairman of the UI Forum Organising Committee, Professor Ayo Ojebode, former Head of Department, Communication and Language Arts (CLA), in a short remark, highlighted the importance of the event, which although, is not a forum for actual election of the vice chancellor, provides opportunity for members of the University Community to listen to the contestants and to know what the next VC has in store for the institution.
In a short remark by the Host, the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, he lauded the organisers of the forum for not breaking the tradition of interacting with the VC aspirants, which started 20 years ago, noting, “This is the first time that the UI community forum will be holding virtually occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic”.
He said, “Although, it is not strictly part of the official process in the appointment of a Vice Chancellor of a federal university in our great country Nigeria, happily, the laws of the country recognise freedom of association, freedom of assembly, and freedom of movement”.
He also noted that this year’s event was unique as it was the first time that the outgoing Vice Chancellor would be attending as the host of the community forum adding, “For the records, the then outgoing Vice Chancellor also attended in year 2000, but only as a candidate for the position of Vice Chancellor. I wish all the distinguished and worthy colleagues and friends, who have applied for the position of Vice Chancellor and all of whom have taken quality time to be part of this programme, a good outing at this event and in the subsequent interactive session before the council, and the selection board”.
The candidates, who took turns to address the forum, showcased their competencies and their plan of action for the next five years for the university if elected.
The forum, which had about 100 participants present at the Trenchard Hall was held online via zoom, Facebook, YouTube and was transmitted Live on Diamond FM.
