CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The university is a crucial part of the higher education system with the primary purposes of teaching, research and community service. It is generally considered a place of excellence with the aim of promoting high standards in education, research and intellectual pursuit. As a key player in national development, the university system serves the purpose of fostering both the acquisition and advancement of knowledge, producing highly skilled manpower, and developing future leaders equipped with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to contribute to society.
The narrative being peddled in some quarters that the position of the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) should be rotational across the senatorial districts of Cross River State is laughable. My view is simple; let merit lead the way. I don’t think anything should stop the most qualified individual from becoming the vice chancellor.
I think we should not bring tribalism into the educational system. We cannot decide who leads a tertiary institution based on their affiliation with the school’s location. If this is the case, we will be opening the room for more endemic problems in our tertiary institutions. So, again, let merit have its way.
For instance, Prof. Miranda Dosumu, Prof. Celestine Bassey, Prof. Eme Osim, and Prof John Offem all contested with Prof. James Epoke. Again, Prof. Angrey, Prof. Celestine Bassey, Prof. Offiong E. Offiong, Prof. Francis Bisong and many others contested with Prof. Zana Akpagu. Similarly, Prof. Offiong E. Offiong, Prof Ndem Ayara, Prof. Eze Bassey, Prof Patrick Asuquo, Prof. Stella Attoe, Prof. Eyong Ubana and Prof Benedict Ita and several others from other Universities also contested with Prof. Florence Obi.
This contest is not only open to Professors of the University of Calabar but to every Professor who meets the criteria already published by the Governing Council. Whoever emerges must be supported to contribute to the growth of Unical
For instance, Prof. Ishaya Tanko from Kebbi state is the Vice Chancellor of University of Jos, the current Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Prof. Nenna Oti comes from Ebonyi state and the University of Ibadan, established in 1948 only produced its first Ibadan-born VC in 2021, in the current VC, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale after 73 years of its existence.
It is quite important to note that the first three Vice Chancellors of Unical were not from Cross River State. The first three VCs of the institution were: Prof. Emmanuel A. Ayandele (October 1975 – September 1981), Prof. Adamu N. Mohammed (November 1981 – July 1986), and Prof. Isa B. Mohammed (July 1986 – July 1988).
However, we have never heard any Nigerian University talking about zoning in the selection of a VC. In Uniuyo for instance. Examples abound. UNILAG, UI (UNIIBADAN), Covenant University, etc. All well-run universities that are leading lights select VCs based on competence. Unical has been doing so and cannot condescend to appointing a VC based on ethnicity or zoning. Any Professor who is qualified and competent can be appointed irrespective of his origin.
In light of the above examples, it is quite clear that federal universities in Nigeria don’t operate on ethnicity or locality in the appointment of a VC, rather, the appointment is based on merit, competence and qualification.
The University of Calabar is not a political party that adopts zoning for its members; it is a citadel of learning where the most qualified and competent professors should be appointed after a competitive selection process.
Sadly, Prof. Joe Duke has gone to court because the university council said 10 years post professorship experience is a key criterion, which is in line with NUC/ Federal Ministry of Education standard for the selection of a Vice Chancellor in a federal university.
Consequently, he is not qualified to seek appointment to the exalted office of the VC, and such a distraction is really uncalled for.
Ultimately, the selection process for appointing Vice Chancellors must be grounded in transparency and merit. We have a collective responsibility to establish a system that ensures only the best candidates occupy this exalted office.
