As the five years tenure of the vice chancellor of the university of Benin, Professor G. O Oshodin tilt to an end and the search for his successor hots up, his traducers who have been uncomfortable and has failed to acknowledge the vice chancellors transparent leadership have started scheming to have their stooge succeed the outgoing Professor of health science.
In a release signed by the branch chairman Academic Staff Union of Universities of the University of Benin, Dr Monye Emina, titled an urgent call for ministerial intervention in the affairs of the University of Benin with a directive to the governing council to cause the appointment of an acting vice chancellor, it refuted in its entirety the purported letter claiming that it was forged.
while explaining that even though they had no hand in the letter, Dr Monye Emina stated that ASUU-Uniben did not only inform the deputy vice chancellor on the issue of the appointment of an acting vice chancellor when Professor Oshodin was on medical trip abroad when it was muted by some evil minded individuals, the union ensured that it thwarted the gesture by directing those involve to the relevant sections of the university laws on the subject matter, the union chairman therefore posited that considering the criminal nature of the act, a thorough investigation by security agencies must be carried out to determine the culprits in other to bring them to book.
Apart from ASUU-Uniben release, investigations also revealed that part of the grand design by Professor Oshodin traducers since the commencement of his tenure are the endless campaign of calumny, character assassination and blackmail through sponsored media reports and frivolous petitions.
It was further alleged that the leader of the team who are bent on rubbishing all the lofty and laudable achievements of Professor Oshodin is been led by one a former vice chancellor of the University who they say swore to deal with the outgoing vice chancellor for daring to outshine his predecessors with his achievements just as they also alleged that it is in his character to always want his stooge installed. Meanwhile, it is understood that the said former vice chancellor have been stripped of his professor emeritus.
According to a public commentator, Hon Izekor Osayemwenre, “the issue of the appointment of a substantive vice chancellor that will take over from Professor Oshodin should be left to those involved in the selection process and in any case, the present tenure which will elapse in about two months time must not be jeopardized because of a successor. Oshodin has performed marvelously well and those involved in the appointment of a successor should ensure that a credible individual like the outgoing VC is considered, the person must be able to improve upon the template of Oshodin”.
Izekor, while commending Professor Oshodin for bringing to an end the era of corruption, ineptitude, internal strife, communal mistrust which had hitherto eroded the well being of the staff and students stressed that the decisive blow dealt on corruption in the university by the outgoing vice chancellor is a well documented aversion of his tenure which has instigated most of his critics to adopt other strategies in their unholy bid at tarnishing and blackmailing the well revered professor.
In his words,” the outgoing vice chancellor is the antidote to the ruptured relationships in the University of Benin and his name and tenure will forever be in gold whenever the history of the institution is been written”.
He noted that Oshodins administration has transformed and changed the face of the university since his appointment as vice chancellor and have been very consistent in its obligations to staff welfare and has also maintained a policy of non interference in student union activities hence his unmatched commitment to students’ welfare.
Professor Oshodin according to the commentator has given all those aspiring to take over from him a free hand and he therefore enjoined the aspirants and their alleged sponsors not to alter the peace of the university because of their ambition.
However, there are about seven aspirants jostling for the exalted position of vice chancellor of University of Benin, amongst who are Professors Okonofua, Igbinovia, Efosa Oviasu and Emmanuel Pandy Kubeyije.
