I read an online publication on a reputable national daily (Daily Trust, 2nd Sept 2024) describing the irregularities trailing the selection of a Rector for a Federal tertiary institution in Owerri, Imo state titled DISQUIET IN NEKEDE POLY OVER APPOINTMENT OF RECTOR and I became heart broken. If the well outlined details on that publication are anything to go by, then, it is a shame on the President, the Minister for Education and on the entire APC Government.
The President appoints ministers to take charge of various sectors of the economy, following due process, because he cannot be everywhere. The credentials of the present Minister of Education makes him qualified for that position. However, there is cause for worry that something like this should be happening under the watch of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who trained in England and served as Director General of Nigeria Law school for almost 8 years and also former Vice Chancellor of a renowned University.
I really don’t understand. If the Minister had done his job properly and in good time, there wouldn’t have been any manipulated letter from the Presidency endorsing a candidate over more qualified candidates. Except, again, the head of the Education ministry has been compromised. This should be looked into too. The President, HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has consistently said that he has given Ministers free hand to operate and their performances would be assessed and those who have not been able to perform up to expectation would be shown the way out. I think that should be looked into.
In a country where hunger and strife are the order of the day. In a country where farmers can no longer go to farm because of the activities of bandits and herders, the naira is weak, there are no good roads, poor and expensive power supply etc. The question I keep asking is, can’t these people do at least one thing correctly? If the educational system collapses then we are all doomed. Little wonder, some people have coined the saying “school na scam.”
To remedy this situation, I think the National body of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) should rise up to speak against this anomaly. If such things have been happening, let this one bring an end to it. This information should reach the President and the purported letter endorsing a candidate should be withdrawn, an investigation concluded and the position given to the right candidate. Also, the process of appointing Governing Council members of tertiary institutions should be looked into.
Reports of appointment of persons who do not have tertiary education qualification into Governing Councils of tertiary education institutions is an embarrassment to the nation and its already sick education system. This is one of the reasons why disturbing events like the situation in Nekede occur in the first place as you cannot give what you don’t have. The credentials of appointees into all the Governing Councils of the public tertiary institutions should be audited to ensure that only persons with appropriate qualifications and pedigree are appointed.
Our education system should embody excellence in all ramifications and should therefore be protected from undue influences.
By Peter Ikegwuonu
