Base Academic Staff’s Appointment On Merit, Don Tells Varsities

A university scholar and a Professor of Engineering, Geology and Geo Techniques at the Rivers State University (RSU), Nkpolu Oruworukwo, Port Harcourt, Prof Songo “Clifford Teme,  says for universities  in Nigeria and the world over to breed more “thinkers,” than poachers’ selection and appointment of academic staff should be based purely on academic merit and standards and should be devoid of ethnic consideration and quota system
Prof Teme gave this suggestion while delivering his valedictory lecture on the topic “Thinkers and Poachers: And It Came To Pass”, held at the auditorium of the university’s Faculty of Law  in Port Harcourt, recently.
The lecture offered the professor the avenue to share his years of academic experiences as teacher and scholar during his journeys as a lecturer in  various tertiary institutions of education in the country where he had lectured.
He Stated that the discourse,  “Thinkers and Poachers: and it came to pass,” talk about  of  Pathfinders and followers who work together in a university environment.
According to him, in a  University setting, where  total academic freedom exist, “those who are  supposed to be followers do not Want to  follow, but  rather like to jump the rope by snooping, copying and Poaching other people’s  ideas and creative works.
“These phenomenons were observed in almost all the University I sojourned in, especially in the third world Universities were i studied and taught. There are people that can think, while others follow. There are others who wants to hear and broadcast the work of others,” he stated
The pioneer head of Geology Department in RSU explained that “Thinkers and Poachers” in the Lecture are referred to leaders and followers, adding that   leaders are always thinking and restless.
“They are restless and always coming up with ideas. If you are not thinking you will be a poor man. If you think reasonably, you become rich and impact positively on the society. Those who are not thinking are lazy people and steal other people’s ideas..If you are not Thinkers be followers,” he stated.
He recalled that some academic staff left the State  university  because they were Poachers  and did not Want to  think, adding that  great men stand in front of a giant to see far.
“We all have the potentials to be thinkers, choose ye this day whom you want to become, Thinkers or Poachers.
“University departments, Faculties, institutes, and academic units that have “thinkers” usually always achieve unparalleled scientific innovations, new growth pattern and inventions.

Akujobi Amadi & Kiadum Edookor