Prof Ahmed: Why Government Must Intervene

There is only one way to describe the recent opposition by some citizens of the Vom community in the Jos South  local government area of Plateau state to the appointment of Prof. Abdullahi Ahmed as provost of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology. And that is: a deliberate attempt to disrupt activities at the over-80-year-old school.

Some residents of the area recently held a peaceful demonstration at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State, demanding the reversal of Prof. Abdullahi Ahmed’s appointment.

Curiously, their reason has nothing to do with Prof Ahmed’s competence. It couldn’t have been as the appointee, who hails from the Yamaltu/Deba local government area of Gombe State, brings formidable credentials that make him eminently qualified for the role.

He is a renowned Professor of Animal Production and Health, having served for over two decades at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, before joining Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, where he rose to the rank of Professor. All of this, together with his performance in both the written and oral examinations, makes him suitable.

It is therefore disturbing that his formal resumption has been halted by the protesting residents of the College’s host community.

The institution, established in 1940, is owned by the federal government and has earned its place among the leading agricultural institutions, providing quality education and training in animal health, production, and related fields.

It prides itself on its commitment to producing skilled professionals who will drive innovation and development in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, and has consistently offered courses leading to the award of diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate qualifications in various areas, including Animal Production, Crop Production, Agric Economics & Extension, Animal Health & Production Technology, Fisheries Technology, Agricultural Technology, Science Laboratory Technology, Computer Science, Public Health Technology, Epidemiology and Disease Control Technology, Veterinary Laboratory Technology, Networking and Cloud Computing, and Pest Management Technology, among others.

These courses remain highly relevant to the needs of contemporary Nigeria, as they were before the school was established in 1940. Eighty years after its founding, the college has more than 5,000 students and continues to contribute to research and training in agro and allied fields.

The question agitating the minds of most Nigerians is: Why should residents of the College’s host community suddenly wake to engage in activities that are likely to disrupt academic activities at the institution, by insisting, rather surprisingly, that the college’s Provost position be filled by a member of the community?

Fundamentally, the actions of the residents of the Vom community, if left unchallenged, would set a bad precedent for the nation and have catastrophic implications for competent leadership, especially in critical sectors such as educational institutions.

The day we agree as a nation to reserve such sensitive positions, in an academic environment where competence and merit ought to be the principal considerations, for residents of host communities is the day we sacrifice merit on the altar of primordial sentiments. The implications of such an action are better imagined.

As a newspaper, we believe that the government must at all times provide a level playing field for all citizens, including those seeking positions as sensitive as the office of a tertiary institution’s Provost.

We would have supported the protesters had they been protesting against unfairness in the appointment process. Their demand that the appointee must come from their community is jejune, illogical and smacks of bigotry. We cannot afford to give such views room to thrive. No.

On this score, we urge the federal government not to yield to pressure by acceding to the protesters’ demand to appoint Associate Prof. Luka Pam, whom they claim is from the host community. Doing so will open the floodgates to similar demands from other communities.

In any case, the citizens of Vom need to be reminded that the right to appoint a Provost for the College rests solely with the president, who has since exercised it following receipt of the Panel’s report on candidates for the vacancy.

Without prevarication, we believe, as do most enlightened Nigerians, that the most appropriate course of action is to support a process that ensures the new Provost’s seamless assumption of office. The protesters must be told this in unmistakable terms.