Let me first of all say it is a welcome development of a government decision to look inward rather than outward in the appointment of Kogi state Univeristy Anyigba, now Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) even though it look the other way, instead of doing the right thing. When I heard alot of commendations, comments, over the appointment of Ag Vice Chancellor of KSU, Professor Marietu Ohunene Tenuche was more or less a political appointements extended to the ivory tower IN terms of all the prerequisites. The new Ag VC became a Professor of political science, just about six years ago, while we have within the same academic environment of KSU a Professor of over 15 years and very senior academic in the Univeristy. Professor S.S. Arogba, a Professor of Chemistry, though am not holding forth for him, has been a consistent contender since the ouster of Professor Simon Koma Okwute, the pioneer VC of the Univeristy. The appointement of Late Professor F.S. Idachaba, a retired academic and one time VC Federal University of Agriculture while alive was outside the university and on the premise of a very poor academic status of a ‘glorified secondary school’ that needed special attention. Idachaba came and work strictly within his three R’s to rehabilitate, reconstruct and rebuild the once revered institution. At the exit of Idachaba, Professor Hassan Isah took over the mantle of leadership under the guise of moving the leadership of the institution from Idah to Ankpa axis, since Idachaba and Arogba both hail from Idah axis. After his term, the contest was open that saw the appointment of Professor M.S. Abdulkadir purely on merit and from Dekina local government, the host Community, edging out Professor SS Arogba thrice in a row. Professor SS Arogba having spent over 20 years in the Univeristy is the most senior academic in the institution in terms of ranking, age and experience except apolitical and not an ebira extraction. Am not susceptible to allowing politics finding its way into an ivory tower like KSU, but the current decision was an indicator to polarise the once revered institution. So putting the record straight is to allow the current Ag VC serves out her time in the current position, and pave way for the governing council to recommend for appointement by the state government in the person of Professor S.S. Arogba in the interest of fair play and good governance. The policy governing the appointment of VC is internal, order of seniority, papers, position occupied and not tribal sentiments and connections. Confirming the appointment of Professor Marietu Ohunene Tenuche may be one of the undoings of the state government in recent times, but obviously, not the best practices and good precedence for the ivory tower. AAbubakar Yusuf writes from Abuja
