"Woe and woe, betide the man who in the face of social political, economic, Academic and environmental crisis among others, maintains his neutrality." - Okoli Martins.
For months now, the crisis as regards the selection of a new leader in Obafemi Awolowo University, has been quite problematic. A process that is just like an election has not, cannot and will not favour all the parties involved. In this write up, I will try as much as possible to analyse the position of the law as to the Vcship, the position of NASU, and the position we as students ought to take and lastly but very importantly,suggest reasonable way forward.
Before we talk about the present, we must consult the past. For if we don't know where we are coming from it is an almost impossible task to know where we are going to. In 2011, while I was still basking in the euphoria of being admitted into what appears to me as the best campus in Nigeria, it was a period of tussle for the Vice chancellorship position. A lot of unfamiliar names, as I was new to the campus then were mentioned. Few months later, someone was selected. As at then, everybody said the person selected was in fact, the least popular of all the candidates for the Senate Building top job.
There were grumblings and rantings here and there. Then, I was even told that the then President, Goodluck Jonathan would not recognise the selected personality, since he is an unpopular candidate. I was very new to the system then; so you wouldn't blame me for believing any junk I picked up from the street. Just like any Nigerian kid would believe the story of the Nigeria versus India football match, which was said to have ended 99-1 in a defeat to Nigeria. A match where the late Okparaji was said to have kicked a ball like stone that turned into a lion and scored the only goal of the match for our country and then died few hours later from the effect of the charms of the Indians.
Alas, after we returned from home from the fee hike protest in 2011, the then unpopular candidate was to be inaugurated. He is the present Vice Chancellor of our university; Prof. Bamitale Idowu Omole. It was there and then that I realised that there must have been some criteria for the selection of a new Vice Chancellor. Hence few months later, I tried as much as possible to lay hands on several articles and legal facts. Hence, I would be analysing such as follows.
THE LAW
In 2009, the federal government entered into an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (hereinafter referred to as Asuu). This agreement yielded several autonomy for universities both financially and administratively. It was this agreement that brought in the procedure to select a Vice chancellor. Here, the Governing Councils of all federal Universities are charged with the responsibility of selecting a new Vice Chancellor in accordance with the provisions of the university statutory requirements. Majorly, the bulk of the process would be conducted by the Governing Council. From there, Asuu, the only union body recognised in this selection process may interact with the aspirants for the top job. It is exclusively the job of the governing council to handle the selection process. The agreement has not in anyway stated that it is the job of any Union body to select a Vice Chancellor. Hence, on legal reasoning, sincerely the vice chancellor has been duly selected in accordance with the existing law.
SANNU/NASU's POSITION
The Non Academic Staff Union of Universities(hereinafter referred to as NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities(hereinafter referred to as SSANU) have in fact, been quite unhappy with the selection of the new Vice Chancellor. Presently, there is a resistance protest going on. I have then decided to consult widely on this matter. However, till now, I am yet to lay hands on a very genuine reason worth protesting about. Some of them believe the VC was not selected in line with the law. Some of them believe the new VC is a protégé of the outgoing administration, with which they've had crisis with.
Some of them also believe that their entitlements would be buried under this coming administration.
COMMON SENSE
On the reason, of the illegality of the selection process, this is an exercise in futility. No court would grant a stay on any matter which conforms with due process. In fact, it is only the truth that, Union bodies have only, the observer's position in this case. Let us asumme that the new VC needs to be reselected, who will conduct the new process?
It is definitely not the NASU nor SSANU, nor the court. It will still be the same governing council. Both the court, and NASU/SSANU and any other concerned body would still take the observer's seat. Then what's the case here?
On the position of the new VC being a protégé of the past administration, it is true that the incoming VC as announced last week, is the present Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Ayo Salami. The grudge with the outgoing administration should in fact cease and then the unions try to find a positive way forward for the incoming one. Also, this is not another reason why the process carried out by the governing council should be discredited.
Pertaining to the fear of the incoming administration burying all their interest, I feel this should be the major reason on the list. But aye aye, this is an issue that should first be discussed on a very large round table with the incoming VC. Consultation should be employed, not direct confrontation as we have it now. This in fact, would breed bad blood between NASU and the new VC.
Yet, all these reasons are not worth immediate confrontation. Before taking to the streets appropriate consultations should have been made. These are issues that could have been settled on a round table. Taking to the street and disrupting the way of things without consultation is unfair, selfish, callous and insincere.
GREATEST IFE, WHAT SHOULD BE OUR POSITION
Greatest Ife! Our position on this matter, should not be compromised based on some petty selfish feelings of interested parties. We should not engage in a fruitless exercise. This is obviously another way to send us home for another set of weeks. Let us do a little calculation here. We finished exam on the 6th of April. We proceeded on a 56 days leave with our lecturers. Should we now go on another set of compulsory "semester break" just because of this fruitless adventure?
For those of us that don't know, the fresher's are doing nothing, they are wasting away. They are just roaming the streets of Ife. Theft has increased on campus most especially in Angola and Mozambique halls. Our lecturers are either abroad, or on a warm beach somewhere having fun with their families. We are the ones eager to start a new semester and finish fast. Let us not also forget that we are in the 2015/2016 Academic session. This is mid-June 2016. When are we going to complete this present session, before we now add another unwanted holiday to the list?
For the freshmen and other persons that don't know, you must know that the past five agitations by NASU have been fruitless. Yes, last five, from 2011-2015. The last one which occurred sometimes last year November was for the agitation for their unpaid entitlements. Unfortunately we were forced to embark on a compulsory "semester break". It is saddening to know that NASU kept mute after we came from the break. The protest stopped abruptly. Reason for stopping the protest was till now, not known. We just didn't hear anything anymore.
The sympathy here is that the NASU is probably the most hard working set of staff, as they do most of the dirty jobs on our campus. Kudos to them, I respect these hardworking men and women. But this is way beyond emotions; this is our lives. We are not getting any younger. NASU needs to understand that just like we supported them last November, we will support any of their reasonable agitations. I was always at the school gate supporting NASU last november, until they technically sold out.
Greatest Ife,it is worthy to note that in fact, the support we have given NASU in the past is not directly proportionate with what we get in the past from NASU. NASU has always supported our agitation as students on paper. In 2014, during the fee hike protest, they came out to say they are supporting our protest. But they were no where to be found during the course of the struggle. The support we gave NASU in the past is divine. That however should not be taken as a birthright for wrong and unnecessary protest.
WAY FORWARD
1. NASU/SSANU should sheath their swords, and make way for deliberations, consultations and meetings with the incoming VICE CHANCELLOR. As it is clear that the process for appointing the potential VC is spotless.
2. NASU should also understand that their application for an injunction to stay the proceedings of the appointment of the VC has not been granted. A protest at the moment is unnecessary, illegal, and quite incomprehensible.
3. Greatest Ife, we must not at this juncture tolerate an extension to our belated school calendar. Supporting NASU this time is like setting our own trap. We will end up falling into it. Let us disuade from this show of shame.
4. While we are at it, a meeting should be called where students meet to strategise on how to ensure that this incoming administration lifts the ban on our union. We can't continue to stay out in the cold without roof over our head. Our union must come back!
5. When we are able to meet the incoming administration, maybe in a congress or any other platform, one of our agitations should also be how to maintain a school calendar with a little pace. The lagging behind must stop.
Greatest Ife, this is an issue that concerns everyone. We need to move on. Unnecessary agitation must stop. We need to be reasonable. Thank you.
"Radicals must be resilient, and adaptable to shifting political circumstances. And be sensitive enough with their process of action and reaction to avoid being trapped by their own tactics or being faced to travel on a road not of their own choosing." - Saul David Alinsky.
FAKIYESI SAMUEL O,Former Lord Justice,
Student Union Judicial Council,
Obafemi Awolowo University,
Ile-Ife,
Osun state.
For commendations, criticisms,enquiries:
P/W;08169380930
F; Fakiyesi Samuel
T;@FakiyesiSamuelO
E-mail; Olumides45@yahoo.com
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