Gbenro Adesina
Few hours after the Senate of the University of Ibadan (UI) held an emergency meeting at the International Conference Centre (ICC) condemning a violent protest by members of the Non-Academic Staff over the process of the selection of the 13th Vice Chancellor of the Premier University, the non-academic staff has justified their action.
In an invitation letter sent to the media houses for a press conference, the non-academic staff under the auspices of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) stated the issue to be addressed as: “Re: Affirmation of our stand against fraudulent attempt to foist a Vice Chancellor on UI and calling the attention of the Honourable Minister of Education to the imminent but avoidable crisis in UI”.
The invitation, which was signed by UI SSANU Chairman, Comrade S. A. Akinremi, UI NASU Chairman, M. J. Etim and Chairman, NASU COM, Conrade A. O. Akinlade, read, “Congress members, University community members, comrades and our indefatigable media practitioners are invited to attend NASU and SSANU UI organised conference”.
The conference is scheduled to hold at 10am on Thursday November 5, 2020, at the SSANU Secretariat in UI.
Contrary to their position, the Senate of the institution has passed a vote of confidence on the process of selection and appointment of the new Vice Chancellor, asking the Selection Board to immediately continue the process and complete it as soon as possible.