Former Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo has described as shameful and embarrassing craze by academic professors to occupy the position of the Vice Chancellor of Nigerian universities.
He lamented that it was both alarming and embarrassing having over 80 professors applying to be Vice Chancellor of one university even as most of them were oblivious of challenges surrounding the office.
Speaking at the 17th Convocation Lecture of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State titled, “Mainstreaming Uncertainty: Getting Ready For The University of Life”, Nebo, a 3-time Vice Chancellor and currently VC, University of the Niger, Umunya, Anambra State, described VC of any institution as a tortured specie.
“Many are just vying for the sake of the office. If Prof A can be a Vice Chancellor, then I can become one too. Forget about the glamour people clamour for. A university VC is tortured specie,” he said.
Nebo, who chaired the occasion described the Convocation Lecturer and Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof Ishaq Oloyede as dynamic and distinguished personality who brought unprecedented transformation to the examination body.
“This man is dynamic, he’ll always call a spade a spade, regardless of whose ox is gored.
“I’m greatly impressed with the great transformation you’ve brought to bear in JAMB can’t be quantified. History will smile at you,” he said.
Nebo described the five-year tenure of the UNIZIK VC, Prof Charles Esimone as not only eventful but full of inovations, urging his successor to keep the fire of development burning.
Delivering his paper, JAMB Registrar, Prof Oloyede regretted the ridicule being metted on the academic for fallen short of standard and traditions .
He said many of academic traditions were suffering violence occasioned by loss of traditions in the country.
“People will describe us as making academic exercise because we are no longer following the traditions.
“What we have as convocation lecture is called commencement lecture, meant to equip fresh graduate for challenges of life.
Oloyede challenged the graduating students to face the uncertainty of life with courage, focus and hard work.
“The world is full of uncertainty and the only way was to remain focus is to seek support and have proper education of what one wants in life,” he added.
Earlier, UNIZIK VC, Prof Charles Esimone described the lecturer as a core reformist while the lecture worth millions of dollars.
He said the nuggets from the lecture would assist graduands and other participants lay future foundation.
“Everyone gathered here needs the lecture as nobody is beyond uncertainty as long as you’re alive,” he added.
