UI : NEW VC, FRESH EXPECTATIONS

In Nigeria, appointment of Vice-Chancellor, particularly in publicly owned universities is always as tempestuous as it is contentious, often, leading the parties involved to the court of law. Indeed, the process of VC’s appointment could be described as a tug of war. Many universities in the country are still nursing the wounds incurred in an attempt to appoint a right candidate to lead. Contrary to this scenario, however, University of Ibadan (UI) in what appears to be living up to its ‘the first and the best’ Sobriquet peacefully appointed its 13^th Vice-Chancellor after “a rigorous, sober and painstaking exercise that lasted about seven months”.
At as Thursday September 2 when the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Council, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) addressed a press conference, attended by all council members, the out-going VC, Prof. Olufemi Bamiro and the Secretary to Council, Mrs Omotayo Ikotun, none of the 10 contestants who conceded victory to the winner threatened to go to court, neither did anyone protest. This is definitely, a sharp contrast to what is obtainable elsewhere. Deservedly, Council Chairman, soft spoken Olanipekun and all Council Members, as well as all the 10 contestants and their supporters should indeed be praised for their maturity and political tolerance in the overall interest of the University.
But then, who is this lucky winner? He is a renowned Obstetrician and Gynecologist. A former Provost of College of Medicine, and an erudite scholar of note,Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole. He will be taking over from the out-going VC whose glorious tenure ends November 0^th, 2010. Born on May 5, 1954, Prof Adewole, as the new UI VC; will be stepping in December 1 with fresh ideas that are expected to, not only sustain the current transformation on campus, but to take UI to greater heights.
Before he unfolds his own agenda, however, there are certainly, some challenges the handsome new VC must confront. One of the challenges Prof. Adewole must quickly and genuinely overcome is management of pre-appointment political bickering. No leader in history has ever emerged without some people feeling bitter and threatened.
Now that he has emerged victorious, he must be magnanimous in victory by forgiving those who may have hurt him. He has no business becoming vindictive. Besides, he needs to extend his hand of fellowship to all his co-contestants. Prof. Adewole, surely, should be able to borrow some of the good ideas of his co-contestants for all the other candidates possess good ideas that can assist his administration.
On the other hand, those who conceded victory to the new VC should consolidate their maturity by embracing the winner in the overall interest of UI, more so that we cannot have two VCs at the same time. In America, Hillary Clinton contested party’s nomination with Barrack Obama in the Democratic Party’s primaries. Obama eventually won, but the interesting lesson is that Mrs. Clinton is serving in Obama’s government today as Secretary of State. Those who lost to Prof. Adewole should be able to contribute positively in his tenure for this is the spirit of politics without bitterness. Already, one of the contestants, Prof. Adigun Agbaje has started on a good note. He was the first to announce the appointment of Prof. Adewole at the 10^th anniversary of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CEPACS) last Thursday where he represented the VC. With the way Prof. Adigun spoke, no one noticed any bitterness in him as he announced to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola at that occasion that, ‘our new VC is Prof. Isaac Adewole from Osun state’. Indeed, Prof. Adigun, who is also from Osun state, shared the victory of his brother joyfully. That is good and commendable, at least, becoming a VC is “not a do or die affair”.
Looking robust and refreshed, Prof. Adewole should be ready to deplore his energy spiritedly for the job at hand is tasking. He must know that the people’s expectation of him is high. Undoubtedly, Prof. Bamiro has set a standard for his successor. Overwhelming achievement profile of the out-going VC has raised the bar. This is a challenge that must be overcome by the good looking 56-year old Adewole. He should be able to surpass Bamiro’s achievements. Yes, it is possible, but with a lot of hard work, perseverance, dedication, commitment and above all altruism. This is a job that does not give room for annual leave. Prof. Adewole given his antecedent can do it and he must do it because he cannot afford to disappoint us all.
If truth must be said, the new VC needs all of us to succeed. Having agreed that UI is a national patrimony that must be collectively supported and protected, all Nigerians must show interest in the development of the institution. By the way, where are the alumni? Yes, some of UI alumni have been showing gratitude to the University that produced them, but others are still scattered all over the world. Really, this is the time to come back and support the new VC.
Prof. Adewole as new UI VC needs the support of corporate organizations, philanthropist and funding agencies for UI which has given so much to the society in terms of manpower development, requires more funds to survive. Government alone cannot do it. Alumni will be expected to come back and donate and build structures to commemorate and immortalize their father’s name.
Prof. Adewole must succeed. It is important he succeeds because his failure cannot benefit anybody .If Prof Ayodele Falase as 11^th VC restored sanity to UI between 2000 and 2005 and Prof. Bamiro transformed UI between 2005 and 2010, what do we say of Prof. Adewole’s tenure from 2010 to 2015? This is the more reason all of us must support him to succeed.
The free and fair process that culminated in the appointment of Prof. Adewole has taught Nigeria a lesson that democracy can survive. Council designed a comprehensive time-table which began in 25 February with the placement of advertisement in the national papers and terminated 2 September with the consideration of the report of the Selection Board and announcement of the new VC . Nigeria and other Universities surely have lessons to learn from the Chief
Wole Olanipekun led council. The council was thorough, transparent, logical and methodical. That is why it succeeded where many failed. Chief Olanipekun (SAN) and his members surely deserve Kudos for a job well done. The lesson they may have learnt in this process will surely guide them better in future. As Prof. Adewole prepares to take over come December1, it is advisable for him to eat well, sleep well, relax and reflect deeply. Once he takes over, there is no going back until 2015.

Source: http://www.ui.edu.ng/newVC