VC FLAYS POLITICIAN'S INFLUENCE ON VARSITY

March 26, 2012 by Emmanuel Addeh, Warri 5 Comments

Outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, Prof. Babatunde Alabi, has flayed the overbearing influence of politicians on Nigerian universities.
The VC, who spoke during a send-off organised for him and the Registrar, Dr. Linda Onwuka, by a committee of friends in Warri, lamented that many professional politicians do not wish the university system any good.
Alabi , 62, whose tenure ends on Tuesday, insisted that politicians, by their actions, were capable of retarding the growth of Nigerian universities because they “are naturally self-seeking”.
He said the growth of the petroleum varsity, meant to train experts in the field, had been slowed down by the activities of politicians out to enrich themselves through contracts.
The VC had a running battle with the second constituted Governing Council he said did not have the interest of the university at heart.
The council directed him to proceed on accumulated leave, even after it was dissolved by the Federal Government.
Alabi advised the students to continue to uphold the principles of discipline and integrity which the university had inculcated in them in the past six years.
The VC said, “When I came from the University of Ibadan and saw the jungle that FUPRE then was, my heart sank and I started asking myself when this school would be like UI. But we have been able to inculcate in the students discipline and I can tell you that they are ready for greater challenges.
“I will only advise the incoming management to beware of politicians. Politicians do not have good intentions for our schools and in particular FUPRE. They should learn to ignore these politicians.”
Alabi added, “I have shown that it is possible to run a place like this without getting yourself involved in corruption in the award of contracts and admission.
“We have discharged our duties and we expect the incoming people to build upon the foundation we have laid. The community has also been wonderful in our quest to build the best university in the country.”