Why We Confirmed Fakae, RSUST VC

The Rivers State Government has explained the reasons why it took the bold initiative to confirm the appointment of Prof Barineme Beke Fakae as vice chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, pulling the rug off the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) demand for a substantive vice chancellor of the premier university.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, George Feyii, yesterday, the government said it approved the substantive appointment of Fakae for a second tenure in conformity with the provisions of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Law, through a joint selection committee of members of Governing Council and Senate, set up for the purpose.

According to the statement, the committee shortlisted five candidates: Professors B. Onuegbu, M. Ahiakwo, N. Lale, B.B. Fakae and C. Enyinda for the position, adding that at the end of the selection process, only Professors B.B. Fakae and C. Enyinda were forwarded to the Visitor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi for consideration and appointment as vice chancellor.

Feyii explained that having taken into consideration all the dynamics of the office and the underlining intrigues preceding the nomination of the candidates, the governor, in exercise of his discretionary powers, chose Prof Barineme Beke Fakae.

Making further clarifications on the process leading to the announcement of the reappointment of Fakae, the government said that it was discovered that Professors Onuegbu, Ahiakwo, and Lale, who were also candidates in the selection process were involved in the nomination of members of the joint selection committee.

Specifically, the government pointed out that Professors Onuegbu and Ahiakwo nominated Professors Ogburia and S. Amadi as members of the joint selection committee while Professors Lale and Ahiakwo, who were members of the Governing Council nominated Amabipi Martins, Mrs Matilda Nondim, Chief Nemi Adoki, Deacon Abigo and Chief Wike into the joint selection committee.

“As candidates for the position of the vice chancellor, they are barred morally and legally from participating in the process of the selection of persons to be nominated into the body to determine their suitability as vice chancellors,” the government explained, adding that for this reason, “Professors Onuegbu, Ahiakwo and Lale were therefore disqualified from contesting for the position of vice chancellor.

“The fact that they were allowed to stand for the selection and were interviewed did not cure the initial defect and substantive disability,” the government said, stressing that, “the principle to be protected here is that, a candidate cannot choose his own judge.”

The statement further indicated that contrary to claims being made by ASUU and some other elements, in an attempt to deliberately misinform and mislead the public, the appointment of Professor Barineme Beke Fakae as vice chancellor was done in accordance with due process.

The government highlighted other factors which boosted Professor Fakae’s credentials to include the fact that although his appointment in 2008 was challenged by ASUU, that suit was struck out for lack of merit.

Others are the fact that on assumption of office in 2008, less than 20 per cent of courses run by RSUST had Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation but at the expiration of Fakae’s first tenure, 100 per cent of courses run by the university had been accredited.

The government said it was proud that “out of 124 universities in the country, RSUST is not only among the top 27 considered qualified for visitation by NUC for the purposes of institutional accreditation but it is now institutionally accredited with an impressive score of 67.25 per cent, and rated “A” in the second category to operate as a university for the next five years.”

In addition, the government said that Rivers people happy that “RSUST has moved up from 76th position on the World Webometric Rating of Nigerian universities to the 19th position,” emphasizing that cultism, which was at its highest peak some years ago, leading to the death of students in their numbers, has been stamped out completely.

The statement restated the government’s commitment to achieving excellence in education at all levels as evident in the educational programmes being pursued by the administration, adding that the governor respects and upholds the rule of law, and has strived to conduct the affairs of the state according to law.

The government, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders including ASUU to embrace measures that will ensure the return of students and lecturers to the classrooms in the overall interest of the state’s future educational development.

Nelson Chukwudi