Stakeholders Seek Due Process In VC’s Appointment

The appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor for the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has generated intense concern and reactions among stakeholders.
A visit to the university recently, revealed the height of anxiety among stakeholders, who are mostly bothered over the feeling that due consideration should be given to the laws establishing the university in the VC’s appointment so that the policy trust of the institution is not undermined.
A university teacher Dr. Hyginus Oku, who spoke with The Tide on the issue, called for due process in the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor for the university to ensure transparency and efficiency in achieving the institution’s policy objectives.
Oku, who is the head of Department of Geography and Regional Planning in the university, said, such objective can be achieved through strict compliance to the laws establishing the university.
Another university lecturer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, as a specialised university, only somebody with requisite qualification, should be appointed as a substantive VC.
He said the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education was saddled with the institutional mandate of training professional educationists, and so anything contrary to the stipulations of the university Laws will whittle down the University’s mandate.
He said the first schedule of the University of Education (Rumuolumeni) law No. 4 of 2007, section 3 (7) sub section a (iii) states that, “such a person to be appointed Vice Chancellor of IAOUE shall be a Professor of Education”.
He pointed out that such relevant sections of the law guiding the appointment of the VC should be followed to avoid administrative anarchy in the institution.
Efforts to get the views of the Registrar of the university, Mr. Nkem Adiele on the issue was not fruitful as he was not on seat when The Tide correspondent visited the institution.
It would be recalled that the university has for some time now been headed by Prof. Joseph Kinane, a Professor of education, who is running the university on acting capacity.
However, the final nod rests with the Visitor of the university, Chief  Nyesom Wike as governor of the State, to get on board a substantive VC for the institution and put to rest the growing anxiety in the university.

Tenah Beemene