By Okey Igwesi
Metaphorically ,this is what the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN , the great premier university founded by one of the foremost Nationalists and the first indigenous president of Nigeria and the Owelle of Onitsha, late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe has been reduced to! This is an institution that has produced many great men and women that are pride of this nation and the world at large. . Ironically, this great university in recent times has become ‘a laughing stock among their contemporaries. ;This is the results of undue and negative interference into the prmary affairs of this university by the state governor Dr Peter MBA, on who becomes what in this university ; and as it concerned the office of the Vice Chancellor . Regrettably , this has reduced this institution to what people now referred to as governor Peter MBA ‘s ; ” brand new green smart university “.!
The politics of who becomes what and in the past are determined at the senate building of the university through an internal politics but now no longer so ; ” it is now at the state House under the control and supervision of the state governor. This was the situation and unfortunately the politics that produced the current VC, Prof Simon Ortuanya. . This is very lamentable and something that should worry all lovers of educationin and this great university , the pride of Igbos!
“How was this current VC , Prof Simon Ortuanya emerged? “
People may have not been concerned, but by our governor’s recent boasts that ” his appointment was an achievement after many years of this university without an Nsukka professor. as a VC. This was at a campaign rally of the last bye election for a vacant senatorial seat in the zone. By this comments , to every rational minds from Nsukka is an embarrassment !! Moreso, when Ndi Nsukka never lacked men and women who cannot be a VC of a university in a clean and competitive environment. . ‘
For the governor to announce to the world that he single handedly appointed an Nsukka professor as the first vice chancellor since the establishment of this university was very demeaning and a mockery to ndi Nsukka and with a question: : “is UNN, now a village or community secondary school?
Was Prof Eni Njoku and Kenneth Dike who were VCs of University of Lagos and Ife at one time respectively not igbos ? If so why , must our governor appears to localise the office of VC of UNN? The position of a VC is oftent for one with high pedigree that can be used to project the image of the university ; not for a surrogate or a puppet
Citing that the university now offers jobs and admissions to qualified youths is another questions : ” what is the current school fees charged by this university compared to what it was before this puppet VC assumed office ?! The students of this university now allegedly are paying highest among all the federal universities in the country is very worrisome and unacceptable! .
One may not have quarrelled with the negative comments of the governor and his choice/ imposition of this VC as a surrogate, but for the subsequent actions of this puppet VC in the alleged rigging of the last bye election on which he was fingered and allegedly accused of using his home to write a fake result that favoured an APC candidate and who incidentally was the choice of the governor, his paymaster. .Again ,another allegation that the records of an ex-graduate of the university was unduly released to the press without recourse to the rules and norms by this same VC is another source of concern and misdemeanors the university alumni must rise up against to salvage the good image of this great university .!
This is what Mr Peter Obi the great alumnus of this great university and his governorship candidate in Enugu state ,Chief Chiyeaka Ohaa, the Odalije in NDC are concerned and will correct as they are voted into office in 2027 General election! !
Okey Igwesi is a journalist, Political Analyst and Public Affairs Commentator
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