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Nigerian varsities working in shadows of death – Omole
The Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Professor Ayodeji Omole on Thursday said that the Nigerian University is under siege and currently “working in the shadows of death”.
He maintained that the university system has been captured and held hostage by many government policies especially since the advent of the so called ‘civil rule’.
Professor Omole made these assertions while delivering the 561 inaugural lecture of the university of Ibadan, entitled “working in the shadows of death”.
A former ASUU chairman, Professor Omole stated unless something urgent is done to stop government attacks on the Nigeria’s educational system, the system will die faster than anticipated
“More than ever before, the Nigeria University system is under siege and therefore ‘Working in the shadows of death. If nothing drastic is done to stop the various attacks from government and its agencies, the system will die faster than anticipated. The University system is captured and has been held hostage by many government policies, especially since the advent of the so called ‘civil rule’”.
He took a swipe at various civilian administrations who he said foisted anti-intellectual policies on the education system in the country.
According to the Professor of Forest Engineering, “Treasury Single Account (TSA) and Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). IPPIS is a mismatch with university work structure. It is incompatible with the academic calendar, and a clear violation of the University Act.
Therefore, it is illegal. Only in Nigeria is the data-base of scholars surrendered to foreign agencies in the name of cutting cost. The effects of which are threatening the very existence of the University system in Nigeria today, because it is now impossible for Universities to recruit even cleaners.”
According to the University don, “the proposed imposition of Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) by the National Universities Commission (NUC) is another policy that will kill Nigerian Universities, faster than expected”.
While expressing sadness that the university of ibadan senate also caved in from its stance on the CCMAS introduction, Professor Omole lamented that the rigid standardization will definitely limit universities’ ability to innovate and design programmes to meet societal needs; because local content and flavour are ignored.
As a former ASUU Chairman at the University of Ibadan, Omole who appreciated the efforts of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and its quest for enhancing qualitative public education for children of the masses in Nigeria noted that “every financial gain the university system has been able to make is as a result of the struggles of ASUU”
He challenged Nigerian academic to “criticize policies that are inimical to national development” saying that “scholars worthy of the description should be vocal in their resistance to foreign exploitation, through the imposition of neo-liberal policies”.
To ensure sustainable development, Professor Omole harped on the need “for government and other stakeholders to ensure fair and adequate compensation for all workers, fostering a motivated workforce that is fully engaged in the pursuit of national progress”.
“Slave wages severely undermine the commitment of workers to national development and have broad, damaging effects on a country’s economic, social, and political fabric. Under-funding in Nigerian universities has led to a range of problems that affect the quality of education, research, and overall institutional performance.
This has manifested in the form of deterioration of infrastructure, poor facilities, brain drain/loss of talent, labour/student unrest, erosion of university autonomy, low morale among staff, decline in global ranking and reputation. These affect productivity, commitment, and willingness to engage in advanced research or innovative teaching methods.
In summary, the under-funding of Nigerian universities is a significant barrier to the advancement of education, research, and national development. Addressing these issues requires increased investment in higher education, better financial management, and strategic policies that prioritize the long-term sustainability and improvement of the university system.
Poor remuneration in Nigerian universities has far-reaching consequences for the future of the university system, affecting its ability to deliver quality education, retain talent, and contribute to national development.”
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Just in: Tinubu exposes those behind deadly stampedes
President Bola Tinubu has accused organisers for the deadly stampedes that occurred during the distribution of relief materials in three states.
Recall in the past week, chaotic scenes in Ibadan, Anambra and Abuja led to the deaths of over 60 people, including children, as crowds scrambled for food items.
During a Presidential Media Chat on Monday, Tinubu described the events as a critical failure in planning and execution.
Condolences to those who lost a family member, but it is good to give. I have been giving out food stuff, commodities, etc. in Bourdillon.
“I am an organized person and that’s why I have been giving people food for the past 25 years and no incident has happened.
“Let this tragedy not affect us”, the Nigerian leader said.
The president also said he has no plans to reduce his cabinet or sack more ministers.
For the controversial tax reform bills, he said it has come to stay.
He also revealed he has no regrets removing fuel subsidy.
He declared utmost confidence in his security chiefs saying over the past decades, wanton killings has reduced drastically.
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Tinubu To Hold Maiden Presidential Media Chat Tonight
President Bola Tinubu will hold first presidential chat since assuming office on Monday night.
Accoding to a statement released by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the chat will be broadcast at 9 p.m. on the stations of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
All television and radio stations are requested to hook up to the broadcast.
“The first Presidential Media Chat with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be broadcast at 9 p.m. on Monday, December 23, on the Nigerian Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.
“All television and radio stations are requested to hook up to the broadcast,” the statement.
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‘Putin waiting to meet me as soon as possible’ to end Ukraine war – Trump
The US President-elect took to the stage AmFest in Phoenix to talk about his contact with the Russian leader.
He told the crowd: “President Putin has said he want to meet with me as soon as possible.”
Trump went on to brand the war “horrible” and stated it needed to end. It is not known whether or not this meeting will take place in person. His comments at the event in the US come as Putin met with another world leader.
Putin held talks in the Kremlin today (December 22) with Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, in a rare visit to Moscow by an EU leader since Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Fico arrived in Russia on a “working visit” and met with Putin one-on-one. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russia’s RIA agency that the talks would focus on “the international situation” and Russian natural gas deliveries.
Visits and phone calls from European leaders to Putin have been rare since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine, although Hungary’s PM Viktor Orban visited Russia in July. Orban’s visit drew condemnation from Kyiv and European leaders.Fico’s views on Russia’s war on Ukraine differ sharply from most other European leaders. The Slovakian PM returned to power last year after his leftist party Smer (Direction) won parliamentary elections on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform. Since then, he has ended his country’s military aid for Ukraine, hit out at EU sanctions on Russia, and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.
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