VC aspirants share plans on solving UI’s academic, financial woes, others

By Praise Olorunfemi

About a year ago, on the 20th of November 2020, the University of Ibadan Council, guided by the recommendations of the university senate, decorated Prof. Adebola Babatunde Ekanola from the Philosophy department, as acting vice-chancellor of the premier university. The election for the position had been stalled by various controversies, hence the resort to the appointment of an interim Vice Chancellor.

However, in continuance of the election process, the UI community forum, organised an interactive session for aspirants to share their plans and manifestos to members of the the University community, including students and staff.

the community forum consists of five unions in the institution namely: Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Students’ Union (SU), Non-Academic Staff Union of University (NASU) and the Non-Academic Technicians (NATS).

The town hall meeting, tagged ‘The Voice of the Next UI VC, Who is Next?” was in Trenchard hall on Monday 4th October, 2021. However, provisions were made for participants to follow the session online.

Vanguard reported that eight of the 16 candidates were absent from the meeting. They include: Prof. Babatunde Salako, Prof. Aderemi Raji-Oyelade, Prof. Clement Olaniran, Prof. Olusegun Ademowo, Prof. Temitope Alonge and Prof. Emiola Olapade-Olaopa.

“Others are the current acting VC , Prof. Babatunde Ekanola, who may not attend due to an official engagement outside Ibadan and Prof. Ebenezer Farombi, who had refused to send his details to the organisers,” the report reads.

AFAS Press monitored the session online, where candidates proposed solutions to various challenges bedeviling the University.

Prof. Adeyinka Abideen Aderinto, a professor of sociology at the University of Ibadan, promised to expand both post graduate and distant learning education, and as well commit more funds to the running of the university’s academic programs in various departments.

Prof. Aderinto promised to expand the university’s Information and Communication Technology. He also talked about a robust fund raising system for the university through investments drive, and at the same promised to close up all financial leakages innthe university system.

Professor Aderinto who boasted of having “more than 10 years of robust experience in university management at the top level”, talked about his passion for academics and towards the development of the university. He promises to raise the quality of the university by enhancing academic and research excellence, strengthening governance accross all units of the university, and improving fundings allocation He pledged to make UI, a world class university “that will be responsive to societal needs.”

In his presentation, Prof. Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, also promised to raise the University standard in global ranking. He promised to leverage on his experience in ICT.

Prof. Adebowale promised to generate up to 200 million dollars for the University within the space of 5 years, “for the smooth and efficient running of the university.” He also promised to harness the good will of the University alumni network towards achieving fund raising and infrastructural development.

For Prof. Babatunde Lawal Salako, accommodation and general well-being of students, would be given attention, if he is elected Vice Chancellor.

Prof. Salako has been a student, Lecturer, Professor, head of department, member of the university’s promotion panel, member of senate, and has also served as a member of the council of UI. He has associated himself with the university for around 39 years.

Prof. Salako, promised to leverage on his abundance of experience to develop and enhance the university in the areas of teaching, research and innovation.

Meanwhile, Prof. Ekanola, the acting Vice Chancellor, joined the meeting online. He promised to promote values of fairness, objectivity and hardwork, and to also deploy these in the management of the university of Ibadan. Oweing to his good understanding of the dynamics at play in the university of Ibadan, Prof. Ekanola tried to convince the forum, that he is the best candidate for the job.

The program took about an hour and some minutes, and now all we have to do, is to wait and see whoose head of the 16 aspirants, will be adorned with the new vice-chancelor of the university of Ibadan.