THE Edo Unity League, a socio-cultural organization in Edo State says it will be unfair and amounts to insensitivity for the Binis to push for another Benin candidate to emerge as the next Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), after the tenure of three successive VCs from Benin extraction.
The group therefore appealed to the Minister of Education, Dr Tahir Maman, not to allow tribal sentiments affect the processes for the emergence of the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
According to a statement signed by its Coordinator General, Prof. Akenuwa J. Obarogie, “We are constrained to appeal for your rapt attention in the final selection stage for the Vice Chancellor designate of the University of Benin, this week, and to insist on an absolute due process.
“That is all we ask for, and you should bring the full weight of proactive justice on anyone or group who thrives in scaremongering or tribal jingoism. The outgoing Vice Chancellor has strategically repositioned the University by her innate competence, capacity, and capability; these attributes have been enhanced by competent subordinates. For example, for the first time ever, we have a Yoruba Professor (Muslim) as a DVC.
” It is noteworthy that academics of other ethnic extractions have contributed and are immensely contributing to the growth of the University. Having had the opportunity back-to-back and back for fifteen consecutive years, it will amount to insensitivity and autra supremacy to insist that an academic of Oredo Local Government or Benin speaking tribe must emerge at all cost.
“This has increased confidence in the team spirit to build a University that all stakeholders should be proud of, not one crippled by religious discrimination.
” Such stereotypical attitudes dampen team spirit and reduce commitment to the pursuit of excellence and growth of a purposeful university. Following the remodelled foundation laid by the outgoing Vice Chancellor, a person with a bird’s eye view of the state of affairs of the University would appear best placed for the job, but the ultimate decision rests with the Council as hopefully guided by ethics of good conscience, law, and ultimately, the Almighty God.
“In essence, our group stands for fairness, equity, sensitivity, sensibility, strong academic credentials, character, integrity, capacity, administrative stamina, and other positive attributes for goals delivery.
“All genuine stakeholders must address their minds to these non-discriminatory bases for institutional growth and development” it stated.
