The process of electing the Vice Chancellor in the University of Ibadan these past months has been marred with various allegations, counter-allegations and engulfed in a series of crises due to clashes and misunderstandings between various interest groups.
Due to the inability to resolve these crises, Professor Babatunde Ekanola of the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts was appointed by the Senate as the acting VC in November, 2020 for a period of six months.
His tenure was extended in June for another six months.
However, the process commenced afresh after a decision to that effect was reached at a meeting of the university Council presided over by its Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
The UI Community Forum had organised an event, tagged: “The Voice of the Next UI VC, Who is Next?”
The UI Community Forum established in 2000, has maintained a culture of having a town-hall meeting with aspirants to the position of the Vice-Chancellor of the University creating a platform for staff, students and other members of the university community to meet the aspirants, listen to them and ask them questions.
Sixteen contestants were expected to present their agenda to the university community but only four Professors were physically present at the town hall meeting on Monday.
The acting vice-chancellor, Professor Babatunde Ekanola, who also is in the race was absent at the session but sent a video presentation.
Ekanola apologised he was on an important official assignment.
The debate held at Trenchard Hall, and was streamed live on various social media platforms.
The event was organised by the UI Community Forum consisting of five unions in the premier institution ― Academic Staff of Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Students Union (SU), Non-Academic Staff Union of University (NASU) and the Non-Academic Technicians (NATS).
Those in attendance were Professor Hakeem Babatunde Faweyinmi of the University of Port Harcourt; Professor Rasaq Olatunde Kalilu of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH); Professor Ganiyu Aderounmu and Professor Adeyinka Abideen Aderinto of the Department of Sociology.
Others, including Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale of the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science; Professor Babatunde Salako, the acting vice-chancellor of the University, Prof. A.B Ekanola made video presentations played at the session.
Others absent because they were on various assignments or engagements were Prof. B.L Salako; Prof. A.B Ekanola; Prof. K.O Adebowale; Prof. E.O Faronbi; Prof. Olaopa; Prof. Raji Oyelade; Prof. Ademowo; Prof. Kolawole and Prof. Layiwola.
The institution’s council has indicated its determination to produce a substantive Vice-Chancellor by Oct. 14 in line with its revised time table while screening to select six out of the 16 contestants would hold on Oct. 13 after the election of Oct. 12.
The council would do the final selection of the six, interview them and ratify the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor on Oct. 14.
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