By Osaigbovo Iguobaro
Being a Vice Chancellor in a Nigerian University is not an easy task, especially for ‘endemically lazy academics’ when funding and budgets are under strain.
Getting a bigger pie to fix deplorable infrastructure and solving other educational crises in addition to meeting up with other financial obligations in a Nigerian public University such as unpaid services and contractual bills, just to mention a few, require a quick fix in a Country with an broken educational system.
However, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edoba Bright Omoregie (SAN) has begun to apply stoicism to his job in one of the second generation Universities in Nigeria with huge expectations, amid shortage of motivated workforce, encroachment of University’s land, ecological degradation and the raging energy crisis that has set the University on edge.
The 5-year development plan of the immediate past Vice Chancellor,
Prof. Lilian Salami had some setbacks. Analysts have posited that her administration gave midas touch to the University with the green and therapeutic ambience that supports improved teaching and learning experience of staff and its students, fell below the average.
Salami’s low performance index has been blamed on the disruptions of academic Calendar of the institution at different times. Covid-19 pandemic and prolonged strike actions declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) tainted her tenure in office.
The Federal Government’s embargo on employment and declining internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the University that used to be its flagship, became troubling.
The collapse of UNIBEN table water factory which use to serve as a veritable source of revenue for the institution and other dependants, fell under the gavel of poor and unskilled management
by past administrations.
TheNewspad investigation revealed that other table water producers have cashed in on the development to take over the business opportunities on the Ugbowo and Ekehuan Campuses with over 65,000 students population in the University.
This familiar tale of woes is not different with the UNIBEN bakery that produces UNIBEN bread. It has now become a shadow of its former self. Production level is at its lowest ebb, forcing workers to seek alternative jobs.
Also, the UNIBEN Cooperative Society, UNIBEN farms are in states of comatose under the watch of the University that has thirst for knowledge. No thanks to the menace of encroachment by illegal private property developers on Ugbowo Campus of the University.
The task of expanding the digital space, cutting-edge technology for a 4th Industrial Educational training institution will mark a turning point in administration if the new Management team led by Professor Omoregie makes good his intention within his 5-year reality check and assessment.
The 11th substantive Vice Chancellor of the 54-year old school is out with a renewed vigour to remedy these challenges and correct the oversights and right the wrongs by past administration in the educational journey that exceeds expectations.
During his inauguration address on December 2nd 2024, the new Vice Chancellor, Professor Omoregie whose appointment drew intense gaze and brought good cheers to many, emphasised that his administration will be students- centred as and atop his priority list.
He hits the ground running following the inspection of the students’ hostels less than 24 hours of assumption of office. The action underscore his commitment to the welfare and comfort of the students.
Top on the bill is the inspection of Halls 1,2,3,4, NDDC and Clinical hostels by the Vice Chancellor who was accompanied by other top officials of the University, and was greeted with applause from the students.
Speaking after the inspection, Professor Omoregie said the state of many of the hostels was unacceptable, noting that a lot of work was needed to make the hostels more habitable.
Omoregie revealed that as a former student of the University, he is duty bound to make the difference in students’ wellbeing, including those born high on the ladder and entrenches the hardship of those born disadvantaged.
The Vice Chancellor also acknowledged the paucity of funds but assured that he would reach out to stakeholders in order to provide modern facilities and to make the hostels better by unlocking the realm of abundance.
Upscaling campuses, hands-on involvement, and dedication to brilliance that creates an unmatched experience in education that aligns with Omoregie’s family values can awake the giant in the public University with a robust and supportive Alumni Association.
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