Unilorin splits over ex-VC’s nomination by FG

Yekini Jimoh, Ilorin - 30.01.2008

THE nomination of the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem, as the chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) by the Federal Government has caused a division between the authorities and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the University of Ilorin.

The university authorities were said to be in support of the former vice chancellor on his nomination, while the ASUU, which is opposing the candidacy of Professor AbdulRaheem, had petitioned the appropriate authorities over the alleged administrative recklessness that greeted the five-year tenure of the former vice chancellor.

The union also vowed to appear before the committee on FCC of the Senate to intimate it of the facts and figures of the crisis that greeted the administration of the former vice chancellor.

A group allegedly sponsored by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Isiaq Oloyede is also appealing to the FCC to give the chairmanship to Professor Oba Abdul-Raheem.

According to a source, Professor Oloyede recently summoned the local leadership of the ASUU to a meeting and read a Riot Act to it on expected changes in the leadership of the union and why itmust support the candidacy of the former vice chancellor for the federal appointment.