Mayhap, out of being sentimental, Kwara state University, established some 10 years ago by the Senate president Bukola Saraki -the then governor of the state – was one of the best thing that happened to the state. Upon establishment, envisioned to be more than a typical university in Nigeria. It was designed to be a center for community service and entrepreneurship.
Aside from being the first state owned University, it runs an academic calendar that make other universities, even federal owned, envious. It remain one of the fastest in the country. It has since gain enough recognition that her admission slot remain one of the highly sought-after in the country. What made this institution?
After establishment, whether the allegation that Saraki awarded most of the school contract to her billionaire Lagos in-law’s company – the Ojoras- remain a subject of lesser attention, however, the task on who to pilot the affairs of the University may have to land on a promising academia.
Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah received a Bachelor of Art in 1988 from University of Ilorin, with a thesis “Dadakuada: the trends in the development of Ilorin traditional oral poetry”, subsequently published in African Notes., and in 1992 received a M.A. Literature in English from the same university. In 1999, he received his PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, and was subsequently professor and chair of African Studies at Western Illinois University. It was learnt that he was invited from abroad to his country home to head the university.
It wasn’t an easy task, but Na’allah who obviously has been loyal to her appointee and his successor was able to surmount a number of hurdles which earned him a second term of 5years.
Until recently, he has been in the good book of his boss, but things began to fall apart when the ruling People’s Democratic Party lost grip of power in the state to the opposition All Progressive Congress. Clear that the probe game may begin, the play start to set in.
Initially, the crises that was later let loose to the public was an internal affair. Who take over the mantle of leadership? Who can cover up the Maigida mess? Either may have prompted the expel of the pioneer vice-chancellor of the University from office.
In a statement released by the ministry of tertiary today, it reads;
“The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved the appointment of Professor Kenneth S. Adeyemi, as the acting Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU).”
“The Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Abdullahi S. Alikinla, who announced Professor Adeyemi’s appointment in a statement, also directed the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdulrasheed Naalah to hand over to the acting Vice Chancellor and proceed on terminal leave as his tenure expires in July 2019.”
“The commissioner said the acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adeyemi, is to take charge of responsibilities relating to the smooth running of the institution in accordance with the law establishing it.”
“Barrister Alikinla said Governor Ahmed took the decisions in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Kwara State University Law 2009 as amended which empowers the Visitor to the University to appoint and remove the Vice Chancellor for good cause and following due consultations.”
A critical look at a statement by the institution ASSU speaks volume of what may have eventually led to the premature eviction of the “main man”.
The press statement which was signed by the chairperson ASUU KWASU, Dr. Issa Abdulraheem revealed the union stand in the state government position.
“Even though we don’t believe in rumour on the recent interference of the Kwara State Government in the laid down procedure for the appointment of principal officers of our university, it is however important for us to react so that if the rumour is true the government should retrace its steps and reflect on the proper ways of running a world class university. It is highly immoral for a government that has abdicated its responsibility of providing government subvention to the University for more than 4 years to dabble into the process of appointment of its principal officers without regard for the law of the University. A government that does not pay attention to the importance of education to economic development should leave the institution alone as it is striving hard on its own with litle or no support from the government to become a world class University.”
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-KWASU) believes that in a cooperate society/body there are rules and regulations that are laid down for the day to day running of such societies. Kwara State University (Kwasu) is one of such cooperate bodies and as a legal entity, it must be allowed to operate in accordance with the university’s law as it affects the procedures for appointment of its principal officers (i.e
Vice-chancellor,
Registrar, Bursar and University Librarian).
Kwara State University’s ASUU believes that she has to speak out concerning the disturbing news in circulation on the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor in KWASU.”
“It must be emphasized that, a Vice-Chancellor is an academic. We believe that if the state government for whatever personal interests meddles in the appointment of the highest ranked officer in the academia, such government would invariably jeopardize the academic qualities of the institution of learning.
On the issue of the so called pre-retirement leave, it is important to note that a Vice-Chancellor does not retire after serving his tenure but rather he proceeds on sabbatical leave. A Vice-Chancellor can only retire after attaining the retirement age of 70 years.The tradition in the University system is that new Vice-Chancellor gets mentored for at least a month by the outgoing Vice-Chancellor and a formal handing over takes place on the last day of the tenure of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor. KWASU is just ushering in this tradition of peaceful transition. It will be criminal for any one to disrupt it for selfish self-fulfilling reasons.”
“The Government’s plan of wanting to force the outgoing Vice Chancellor to proceed on terminal leave is unconstitutional and unacceptable. It will become a bad precedence and it is capable of destroying the University’s peace and can cause chaos in the state. This act, which can give negative popularity to the University should be stopped immediately in the best interest of the State.”
“Therefore, without further interference, the out going governor or government officials should allow laid down rules and regulations as it affect the appointment of principal officers of the University to prefail.”
Leaving that for a more important view, is Maigida trying to cover up for his administration’s mess? It was gathered from top anonymous source that the governor has been giving the ertswhile vice-chancellor -whose tenure officially lapse in July 26 – pressure to signed he recieved some subvention fund which was never made available to him. What, he has been avoiding. Nevertheless, how true is this, a crictical look at the institution ASSU statement will reveal there is something fishy about the subvention fund.
“Finally, we would like to reiterate without mincing words that a state government that didn’t/doesn’t think that this institution needs substantial financial subventions from her need not meddle in its affairs especially in an illegal manner. Doing such would be considered unethical and disgraceful to say the least.”
This might have revealed there is cold war going on between the management of Kwasu and the state government. Is the acting vice-chancellor appointed to cover up a for the government in less than 4weeks to the official handing over? Will Prof. Kenneth Adeyemi dance to the tune of the state government? Will he signe the subvention fund? Will he work towards seeing “a Awodun” or “a Sulyman” as successor? Time will tell.
Whatsoever may have led to the sacking of the pioneer vice-chancellor of the University, it shouldn’t have been uncelebrated, it shouldn’t have been premature, no matter his offence, the man tried his best to give the institution a glory other universities strive for.