UniAbuja: The VC’s Appointment And Matters Arising The crisis that has trailed the emergence of the new Vice-Chancellor recently at the University of Abuja is far from over as three lecturers from the ivory tower have dragged the university authorities before the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja. Among questions being asked for determination include; whether or not the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Abuja, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, can legally or validly appoint Prof. Adikwu as the Vice-Chancellor of the university which is said to be in contravention of the provisions of the University (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2003 as well as whether or not the provision of Section 8 of the Federal Character Commission (Establishment) Act is not mandatory in the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor in the University. Stakeholders are also claiming that the Governing Council of the University of Abuja failed to observe merit in the appointment process, as they alleged that “the most qualified candidate on merit, performance as well as under the Federal Character principle is Professor Umaru Garba Danbatta who scored the highest mark in the interview referred to above.” However, from the report of the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board on the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor for the University of Abuja, submitted to the Governing Council at its 34th Extra-Ordinary meeting of Tuesday, 24th June, 2014, and which was attached as exhibit before the court, the three candidates were shortlisted based on their academic achievements which were outlined as criteria or precondition for appointment as Vice Chancellor. According to the report, Prof. Danbatta, who hails from Kano State, has one academic publication to his credit in the last two years and attended two international academic conferences and presented two papers. He supervised and graduated two doctoral students as well as 16 Masters’ degree students in the last ten years. Prof. Lawal, whom the claimants alleged came second, has four academic publications to his credit in the last two years, attended one international academic conference and presented one paper. He supervised and graduated eleven Doctoral students in the last ten years. The new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adikwu, was alleged to have thirteen academic publications to his credit in the last two years, attended one international academic conference and presented one paper. He supervised and graduated seven Doctoral students as well as forty Post Graduate Students in the last ten years. Apart from these, the Vice Chancellor has, among other academic laurels, the prestigious Nigeria Academy of Science Award which he won in 2006, as the Nigerian best scientist of the year, a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science and Fellow of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. In terms of catchment area and geopolitical zones, Prof. Danbatta, a professor of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, is from Kano State (North West), Prof. Lawal, a professor of Language Education, is from Kwara State (North Central), and Prof. Adikwu, a professor of Pharmacy and is from Benue State (North Central). While the claimants alleged that on the basis of the above assessment, the three top candidates were graded with Prof. Danbatta scoring the highest grade of 86 per cent in the screening and interview exercise, Prof. Lawal came second by scoring 73 per cent and Prof Adikwu came third with 65 per cent, they however failed to provide the basis of the score as the alleged second and third candidates seemed to be better in terms of academic output., which was said to have been a critical factor in the choice of the new vice chancellor. The claimants are praying the court for a declaration that the purported appointment of Prof. Adikwu as Vice Chancellor by the Governing Council of University of Abuja “is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.” They are equally seeking an order compelling the Governing Council to observe merit and the provisions of the university miscellaneous Act and the Federal Character Commission’s Act and the 1st defendant’s Senate Rules in proceedings of the appointment of the post of the Vice-Chancellor. As a result the asked the court to make an order compelling the Governing Council to appoint the candidate with the highest score on his merit and performance in the screening and interview. Meanwhile, President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo affirmed that the matter will be assigned to a judge of the court and hearing notices will be served on parties. However, what stakeholders are worried about is not the crisis in itself; it is the future of the university which over the years has suffered a whole gamut of set-backs ranging from poor infrastructural development to academic and administrative crises. And based on the facts above, it is clear that the authorities not only considered the result of the screening and interview but also looked into the catchment area and past performances of the three selected applicants and saw that the newly appointed VC has a richer credential and what it takes to steer the long embattled university to enviable greatness.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 12:52:20 +0000
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