Varsity Don Laments Falling Academic Tradition

Vice chancellor of the University of the Niger, Umunya, Anambra State, Professor Chinedu Nebo, has lamented that the academic tradition is nose-diving in an embarrassing dimension in the Nigerian universities.

Nebo, a former vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and former minister of power spoke at the 17th convocation ceremony of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, Anambra state yesterday. He was the chairman of the event.

Nebo, particularly criticised the number of those that had indicated interest in the ongoing race for the successor of the UNIZIK VC, Prof. Charles Esimone, which number is said to have risen to about 80.

He decried that a proper profiling of the capacities of those who have lined up for UNIZIK VC’s position would show that most of them do not even know the demands of the office, but, are simply aspiring for the position for the glamour of the office.

Nebo stated that an ideal occupant of the vice-chancellorship position of the Nigerian university is “ tortured species” because of the challenges of the office.

He was making his remarks on the theme of the convocation lecture of “Mainstreaming University; Getting Ready For The University of Life”.

He said, “Many are just vying for the sake of the office. If Prof A can be a vice chancellor, then I can become one too. Forget about the glamour people clamour. A university VC is tortured specie,” he said.

Nebo described the convocation lecturer and registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof Ishaq Oloyede, as dynamic and distinguished personality who brought unprecedented transformation to the examination body.