AAU crisis: NANS seeks FG’s intervention

AAU crisis: NANS seeks FG’s intervention

ABUJA—The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, weekend, called on the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission, NUC, to wade into the crisis rocking Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State.

NANS also demanded the removal of the embattled Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Cordelia Agbebaku, over non-qualification.
NANS in a statement by its Vice President, External Affairs, Mr. Peculiar Asemota, expressed deep concern over the trend of events in the university.

“This hitherto revered citadel of learning is being rapidly plummeted down the labyrinth of ignominy as favoritism and strong arm tactics now thrive above merit,” it said.
According to NANS, academics and other allied activities at  Ambrose Alli University have not only been stagnated, but is also now auto-piloted on a reverse gear since May, 2011 when Prof. Agbebaku was appointed Acting Vice Chancellor.

NANS explained:  “At the time of her appointment, Prof. Agbebaku was neither competent nor qualified to man the number one seat of AAU as she had not undergone the full process, rigours and discipline of academic development.
“Barring the circumstances surrounding her appointment, despite her non-qualification, it was expected that she should leave office at the expiration of six months, if her appointment was not made substantive, in line with laid down rules.

“The zenith and pinnacle of academic research with the confine of pupillage and supervision is the Doctor of Philosophy Degree, which is necessity if an individual might be fully grounded to cope with the dynamics and discipline of the academic.
“Whereas the professorial seat might be awarded for a plethora of reasons that do not fit with the prior assertion, in the case of Prof. (Mrs.) Agbebaku’s leadership of AAU, the cart has been put before the horse, little wonder no progress is feasible.