Four indigenes of Ibadan are among the 16 applicants for the post of Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI).
The Nation reports that they are professors Aderemi Raji-Oyelade, Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa, Kayode Adebowale and Kolapo Amzat. Their candidature is a boost to the campaign by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) for an indigene to be appointed the next VC of the premier university.
But it is unclear if the process would permit such sentiment to influence who succeeds the incumbent, Prof. Abel Olayinka on December 1. The new Vice Chancellor, when elected, will assume office for a single term of five years.
The applicants have been canvassing for votes from various stakeholders in the university community.
The remaining 12 include Professors Babatunde Salako, Babatunde Adeleke, Razaq Rom-Kalilu, Hakeem Fawehinmi, Raheem Lawal and Adeyinka Aderinto.
Others are Professors Clement Kolawole, Olusegun Ademowo, Oladele Layiwola, Temitope Alonge, Anthony Kadoye Onifade and Ebenezer Farombi.
While Kayode Adebowale is the incumbent Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC Administration); Adeyinka Aderinto is DVC (Academic). Olapade-Olaopa is the immediate past Provost, College of Medicine while Raji-Oyelade is a former Dean, Faculty of Arts of the institution.
The candidates are scheduled for a debate tagged “The Voice of UI VC: Who is Next” later this week. The debate will hold on Zoom.
Since the process commenced a few months ago, the CCII has been lobbying the presidency to appoint an Ibadan indigene this time, arguing that no indigene has emerged the VC of the premier university in its 72-year history. It described it as marginalisation and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure an Ibadan indigene succeeds the incumbent.
However, the CCII campaign has been labelled weak, as many commentators described it as another move to localise and politicise the university system along ethnic lines.
Add Comment