No fewer than 12 Professors at the University of Ibadan are currently engaged in the succession battle for the position of the institution’s Vice Chancellor as the five-year tenure of the incumbent, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole, winds down.
Professor Adewole whose tenure lapses in November 2015 has been adjudged to have run a generally peaceful tenure noted for transformation and maintenance of industrial peace among unions on campus.
Inside sources reveal that out of the 12 candidates jostling for the position, only Professor A. Adedeji is external to University of Ibadan.
Others are Professors O.O Layiwola (Institute of African Studies), O.O Akinyinka (Pediatrics), F.O Egbokhare (Linguistics and African Languages), Arinola, O. Sanya (Physiotherapy ), B.O Fagbemi (Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology), L. Popoola (Forest Resources Management), A.I Olayinka (Geology), A.I Oluleye (Industrial and Production Engineering), O.D Olaleye (Virology), A.E Falaye (Aquaculture and Fisheries Management) and A.A. Agbaje (Political Science).
It was however gathered that two other persons joined the list having ‘searched’ despite not applying for the position but are considered ‘fit’ for the job.
Meanwhile, all the aspiring candidates will soon interact with the university community under the platform of the ‘University of Ibadan Community Forum 2015′, in a move to ensure a democratic emergence of a new Vice Chancellor for the University.
The Chairman of the ‘University of Ibadan Community Forum 2015′, Professor Nelson Fashina, stated that ‘even though the forum does not have power as to who become the next Vice Chancellor, the interactive platform with the university community will enable the community listen to candidates and keep records of their plans or manifestoes of whoever emerges and be able to hold him/her accountable.’
To this end, Professor Fashina said, all candidates have been invited for the interactive session. He explained that the forum was set up to give a level-playing ground to all contestants.
Fashina said further: “We are a neutral and objective body seeking for the enthronement of truth, fair play and justice. All candidates therefore earn respect for their personal opinion, vision and mission, such that no one of them can be intimidated or harassed. All the candidates, both from within the UI and outside are given equal opportunities.”
“It is a forum that is meant to articulate the conjunction of positive interest in the direction of unity and harmony as necessary condition for further propagation of the academic excellence.”
“It is also for improved administrative achievements and the better welfare for all, both staff, students, families on the UI campus and for the interest of all our affiliate colleges and other functional interests, both nationally and internationally.”(Daily Trust)
