How The Deputy Vice Chancellors Will Be Appointed

Still on top of news stories in Obafemi Awolowo University campus is the ongoing jostling for the soon-to-be vacant seats of the Vice Chancellor and the Deputy Vice Chancellors of the institution. Professor Bamitale Omole is expected to bow out of office on June 23, 2016.

In a bid to educate the OAU community especially the student population, OAU Peeps News Agency finds it imperative to state the position of the constitution as regards selection of the Deputy Vice Chancellors.

The principal law governing the selection and appointment of Deputy Vice Chancellors in Nigerian Universities is the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, No 11 of 1993. This Law was amended by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Act, 2003. The cumulative effect of these laws on the appointment of Deputy Vice-Chancellors is summarized as follows.

DEPUTY VICE- CHANCELLORS
1.There shall be for the University such number of Deputy Vice Chancellors as the Council may, from time to time deem necessary for the proper administration of the University.

2. Where a vacancy occurs in the post of Deputy Vice-Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor shall forward to the Senate a list of two candidates for each post of Deputy Vice Chancellor that is vacant.

3. The Senate shall select for each vacant post one candidate from each list forwarded to it under subsection (2) of this section and forward his name to the Council for confirmation.

4. A Deputy Vice Chancellor shall –
(a) assist the Vice Chancellor in the performance of his functions:
(b) act in the place of the Vice Chancellor when the post of Vice Chancellor is vacant or if the Vice Chancellor is, for any reason, absent or unable to perform his functions as Vice Chancellor and
(c) Perform such other functions as the Vice Chancellor or the Council may, from time to time, assign to him.

5. A Deputy Vice Chancellor –
(a) shall hold office for a period of two years beginning from the effective date of his appointment and on such terms and conditions as may be specified in his letter of appointment; and
(b) may be re-appointed for one further period of two years and no more.

The above provision of the law gives no room for the appointment of Acting Deputy Vice Chancellors, or Special Assistants to Vice Chancellors. The sole responsibility for the appointment of Deputy Vice Chancellors lies with the Senate of University. A Vice Chancellor who appoints Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellors, or Special Assistants will be acting in contravention of the (Universities Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993.

University senates should live up to their responsibilities in ensuring that Vice Chancellors do not exceed powers given to them by law or usurp powers given to other organs in their Universities. Should University Senates fail to ensure that Vice Chancellors act within the powers given to them, they would be creating imperial Vice Chancellors.

Like in the provision for the appointment of Vice Chancellors, the law of the appointment of Deputy Vice Chancellors, allows for participation by members of the University Community, through its Senate.

OAU May Resume A New Session In July

A renewed agitation by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Obafemi Awolowo University chapter for her annual leave may shift the widely circulated resumption date for the 2016/2017 academic session by three (3) months.

A congress of ASUU OAU members which held yesterday amidst many other issues deliberated on her members’ insistence on embarking on a 56-working day leave. Speaking to a lecturer about the development, he opined that the students may be going for a 3 month break.

“ASUU members have been given two weeks to mark the scripts of students starting from April 5 and this will end by April 19th. After this the university community will proceed on the normal sessional break which should be at least a month. It is now after this that we will now start our leave.” The lecturer revealed.

If this is anything to go by, all these break periods amount to 3 months leaving a new session to commence mid-July.

Varsities, Polytechnics Get Cut-off Marks In June

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has disclosed that the cut-off marks for universities and polytechnics will be made public in June, 2016.

Its Public Relations Officer, Dr Fabian Benjamin in a telephone conversation with Vanguard said: “JAMB will officially publish the 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), cut-off marks for universities and polytechnics in June.”

Matriculation Examination (UTME), cut-off marks for universities and polytechnics in June.” He urged candidates of the 2016 UTME to ignore the cut-off marks from some websites and social media, stating that those cut-off marks were just the imagination of people. You would recall that many websites over the past weeks had published that JAMB’s cut-off marks for university and polytechnic are 180 and 150 respectively.



Source: Vanguard

OAU Students Advocate Participation In Appointment Of Vice Chancellor

Some students of Obafemi Awolowo University under the aegis of a platform called OAU Wikileak have advocated that students be allowed to participate in the ongoing selection process of the Vice Chancellor.

In a social media discussion monitored by Oye Ola Oladimeji, majority of the contributors feel the students be afforded a voice in the very crucial process since they will be affected by the decision of whoever emerges at the end of the day.

Leading the debate, Moshood Odunayo Olajide, the Convener of OAU Wikileaks frown at the way students are completely excluded in the choosing of the university's Vice Chancellor. He argued that students exclusion from such prominent appointment is part of the reason why the university authority takes students for granted. He however urged students to rise up and change this trend.

In his own opinion, Honourable Epitome, a parliamentarian from the faculty of EDM stated that students must participate in providing criteria for the appointment of Vice Chancellor. Hear him, in a typical democratic setting,  students can participate in form of public debate whereby every sapient will be allowed to ask questions.

Contributing, Honourable Omole Ibukun from the faculty of Tech advocated a thoroughly transparent public  debate that will simultaneously feature the outgoing Vice Chancellor coming to give account of his regime while students are allowed to question both the outgoing and the incoming freely.

Also speaking, Fatoyinbo Gafar, a social critic, aver that students have always constitute the major stakeholder in the education sector. He further stated that students should be allowed to partake in the decision making process as the appointment of a new vice-chancellor will either make or mar students, hence the need to have the input of the students. He further asserted that the imposition of anointed candidate on the university by powerful forces may be too hazardous for Great Ife students to bear. Speaking in the same vein, Matthew Edache urged the university authority and the National University Commission (NUC) to provide a platform for students to air their views on the appointment of VC's. He also condemned the increment of tuition fees which has not led to improved welfarism on campus.

In his own contribution, Bamidele Williams, suggested that a Congress of Great Ife students be convened by the Security committee of the students union to dispassionately discuss the modalties of the appointment of Vice Chancellor while a seven man committee should be set up to meet with ASUU, and SSANU while the committee should also spearhead media campaign tagging it #OAUSAYSNOTOANNOINTEDVC. Aligning with the position of Williams, Solomon Abiodun popularly known as Spiritdrunk suggested that the Security committee should convene a Congress and make students' demands known to the university management.

Opposing the debate, Emeka Mbah, a student from the faculty of medicine however feels that students stand no chance in participating in the appointment of the Vice Chancellor stating that the race is purely political and beyond the participation of students.

OAU VC Race: Governing Council Shortlists 6, Obiyan Heads ASUU Screening Committee

In a bid to ensure that the best emerges Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, the institution’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has finalised plans to screen candidates for the position.

It was learnt that the action was to facilitate and organize interaction with the shortlisted aspirants.

The tenure of the current occupant, Professor Bamitale Omole, who became VC almost five years ago, expires on June 24th, 2016.

About 12 professors had applied for the position following an advertorial in the newspapers in December 2015 but the Governing Council has shortlisted 6.

With the setting up of a committee to interact with the shortlisted candidates for the position, the union has endorsed the decisions of the University Governing Council.

It was gathered that the union, after its congress meeting which took place on March 15, 2016, received reports from some of its members in the Governing Council, and concluded that the University Council acted within its powers in shortlisting candidates for the post of Vice-chancellor of the university.

The union afterward appointed Professor Sat Obiyan, who heads the institution’s Department of Political Science, to head the 5-man screening committee to organize and drive the interaction process.

Confirming the development, Obiyan explained that it was true that a committee was set up by ASUU-OAU, adding that the committee was already finalizing arrangements for the event which is likely to hold in early April.

Credit: The Nation

''English Department Is A Deviation From A Real Department'' - Emeritus

A student of the Department of English and Literary Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University has blasted his department, describing it as a deviation from real department.

In an article obtained by our correspondent, Emeritus agreed with the position of his colleague popularly called FM who is of the opinion that the department is a den if empty barrel filled with ignorance.

Read the full article below:

"English department: A den of empty barrels filled  with ignorance." - FM, Part 4

"We are conscious of the fact that the emissaries of the devils above dwell and dine with us, however, the truth must be said, despite the sayer and hearer. This is to enhance the perfect reign of justice and the dethronement of oppression." EMERITUS

A Critical Discourse Analysis of the above witty and factual quote by FM, a part 4 student, paying attention to ideology, identity and power.

This CDA might be a deviation from the norm, this is because English department is a deviation from a real department.

POWER
The voice in the text above is filled with power. This may be as a result of the writer's tremendous knowledge of the department cum his experiences in the department. Going from the writer's voice to the social context of the piece, one will discover that in this social setting, some "powerful and unquestionable people" deal with students' destinies anyhow, as if students worth no existence. These persons are oblivious of the fact that posterity exists. They tend to forget that we can still come for them in the future to also enhance the reign of justice. They are ignorant of the fact that they can only do their worst to all, but cannot kill the never-die greatness in some of us. In fact, aside their "fields"most of them are starved and bereft of intellect and knowledge of  other fields and history. Even in our midst we have abusers of power. Those who forget their manifestoes after been sworn in. They forget those sweet-sounding manifestoes, and use the office to fix well their pockets, utilize their offices to worship the mighty element of man between their legs. Of course, I am not a moralist but the use of office positions to satisfy these endless desires of human at the expense of selfless service is my "palava."

IDEOLOGY
The prevailing ideology in this department is that of "you must belong to a caucus, we are of higher standard, we cannot associate with all." With this malignant ideology in the above and within, disunity, false self impression and academic suicide, collectively and freely reign. Oppressors above release deadly bombs of academic failure, yet most of these persons below will never want to revolt/ interrogate, just to avoid unity. They easily accept unnecessary fates that they have the right to turn to their favour. Their ignorance manifested in their actions portray that some of them leave tomorrow to think for them. How suicidal it is!

Another ideology is the celebration of frivolities and apathy for reality. Once you do well in frivolities, you are a celebrity. However, they fail to participate in real and progressive actions and movements. In fact, they hate anyone that attempts progressiveness. It is a situational irony that the largest department in West Africa and one of the largest in the continent cannot produce good number of student leaders. I am not preaching political oppression with numbers but the numerical strength is an advantage. You cannot tell me that in class of 450 we cannot see good leaders! We are in Arts, we engage humanity. Consequently, we should do better than those in technology, science, edm and so on. People celebrate failure in this den.

Statements like "Over 30 years we have not seen any first class in my department. Out of over 400 graduating students, we do not always produce above 10 second-class  upper awards." These words are empirical,but they are proudly said as if they symbolize achievement.
Most of them from the above get feared , respected and worshipped by deliberately failing students, but not by what they know.
Identity.

Many People give themselves unnecessary and illusionary "hyping" or status. By this very fact, ignorance is proudly portrayed.

Pure lexico- semantics
"A den of empty barrels," FM was painstaking in his selection of words. A den is a place for lions. These are the implications. Lions are know to be "quintessentials" in strength. Ironically, the social setting of this piece portrays that of a place that is known for the perfect examples of the manifestations of ignorance.
A den is avoided by many because of what the "greatness" therein can "catastrophize." It is factual that many people avoid the place setting portrayed by the writer. Unfortunately, people by ill fate or the deliberate, corrupt and normal actions of the  "Proppresors" in Abuja and the University Sin-net (senate as they falsely call it) find themselves here. Of course, some persons voluntarily find themselves here, maybe as a result of passion. However, before the end of the day this burning passion is  frozen by the prevailing realities in that place.

Conclusively, I am quite sure that oppressive missiles of oppression and envy shall be triggered towards me, but the "odieshi" or bullet proof of truth will never allow them to kill the desire, vigor and in fact the passion to fearlessly and "favourlessly" assert the truth when necessary. If you are not a servant of justice, you are surely on your own as the end will always leave you with "had I know tears." Hence, as a Critical discourse analyst, I sing of an English department where unity; fair grading of marks; celebration of progressiveness reign. I sing of that department where people will always thirst to dwell in. Most importantly, the song of a department where interrogative/ critical  and versatile minds and brains reign. The status quo must be changed!

EMERITUS.
Member of the Parliament representing the faculty of Arts & a Comrade of PSA

Constitutional Provisions For The Selection Of Vice Chancellor

One of the hottest gists on the soil of Obafemi Awolowo University campus is the ongoing jostling for the soon-to-be vacant seat of the Vice Chancellor of the institution. Professor Bamitale Omole is expected to bow out of office on June 23, 2016.

In a bid to educate the OAU community especially the student population, OAU Peeps News Agency finds it imperative to state the position of the constitution as regards selection of the Vice Chancellor.

The principal law governing the selection and appointment of Vice Chancellors in Nigerian Universities is the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, No 11 of 1993. This Law was amended by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Act, 2003. The cumulative effect of these laws on the appointment of Vice-Chancellors is summarized as follows.

VICE CHANCELLORS
1. There shall be a Vice- Chancellor of a University who shall be appointed by the President in accordance with the provisions of this section.

2. Where a Vacancy occurs in the post of a Vice- Chancellor, the Council shall –
(a) advertise the vacancy in a reputable journal or a widely read newspaper in Nigeria, specifying –
(i) the qualities of the persons who may apply for the post; and
(H) the terms and conditions of service applicable to the post, thereafter drawn up a short list of suitable candidates for the post for consideration;

(b) constitute a Search Team consisting of –
(ii) a member of the Council, who is not a member of the Senate, as chairman:
(ii) two members of the Senate who are not members of the Council, one of whom shall be a professor;
(iii) two members of Congregation who are not members of the Council, one of whom shall be a professor.

To identify and nominate for consideration, suitable persons who are not likely to apply for the post of their own volition because they feel that it is not proper to do so.

(3) A joint Council and Senate selection board consisting of –
(a) the Pro-Chancellor as chairman;
(b) two members of the Council, not being members of the Senate;
(c) two members of the Senate who are professors, but who were not members of the Search Team, shall consider the candidates and persons on the short list drawn up under section (2) of this section through an examination of their curriculum vitae and interaction with them; and recommend to the Council suitable candidates for further consideration.

(4) The Council shall select one candidate from among the three candidates recommended to it under sub section (3) of this section and forward the name to the President. (This section has now been amended. See below)

Prior to 1993, the appointment of Vice- Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, with particular reference to Federal Universities, was done by the Federal government without recourse to the Councils and Senates of the Universities.

The Present law is a complete departure from the previous arbitrary manner of appointing Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities. The present law allows for participation by all segments of the University community, i.e Council, Senate and Congregation.

The present law has circumscribed and curtailed the wide powers which the Federal government previously had in appointing Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

Under section 4(b) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Act 2003.

“The Council shall select and appoint as Vice Chancellor one candidate from among the three candidates recommended to it ... and thereafter inform the visitor.

The appointment of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities is now within the powers of University Councils. It is now an internal matter in, which members of the University community participate either directly or indirectly. This development must be welcomed. It allows for participatory democracy by all segments of the University Community.

Despite the enormous powers which Councils of Universities now have in appointing Vice Chancellors, they are not laws unto themselves. They are subject to control by the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has the power to remove any member or dissolve the Council.

They are also subject to the control of Courts of Law in the exercise of their powers. Let us assume that a selection board has recommended three candidates (A, B, and C) to a Council. The candidates are listed in order of performance and preference, with candidate ‘A’ as the first and candidate ‘C’ as the third. Council has now chosen candidate C and has informed the president as required by Law.

Is the decision by the Council absolute and unquestionable? I do not think so. Their decision can be called into question in a Court of Law. A University Council cannot by its own decision finally determine or decide on the question of the exercise of its powers. Such question is always subject to review by the Courts.

A University Council that allows itself to be guided by political and ethnic considerations in the appointment of a Vice Chancellors, can be challenged in a Court of Law




Credit: Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993 Imperial Vice Chancellors
By PROF. LAWRENCE ATSEGBUA