Once upon a time, the choice of Vice-Chancellor for any University in Nigeria was based on merit and the choice was made by members of the Council, elected members from the Senate and Congregation of the University.
Once upon a time, Vice-Chancellors were appointed by military generals who were consulted by the academics. Some of the academics used to sleep in army barracks and bowed down to these powerful generals. At the end, incompetent Vice-Chancellors were appointed and imposed upon our Universities. The Universities lost their autonomy and the decline in academic standard started from that period.
The loss of autonomy and decline in academic standards have become the issues of the current battle between ASUU and the various governments of Nigeria.
Today, at UNICAL, contestants for the post of Vice- Chancellor of our institution have gone to worship our politicians in order to be appointed the Vice- Chancellor.
These same politicians have failed in governance of our dear country.
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I appeal to the University Community, Council and Senate to stand firm and appoint a Vice-Chancellor based on merit, integrity, high academic record, administrative experience and vision in order to restore academic growth and proper physical development of the University of Calabar. Let us avoid the mistakes of the past that have resulted in the present slavery and mediocrity in many public Nigerian Universities.
Thank you for listening to the lonely voice in the Tropical forest.
*** Prof. Asukwo D. Ekanem is of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medical Sciences, UNICAL.
