President Muhammadu Buhari, on
Saturday, challenged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to first
of all tackle the issues of sorting, plagiarism as well as sexual harassment
allegedly bedevilling some of the Universities in the country rather than
directing their criticisms only on perceived inadequacies of government.
Buhari stated this while speaking
at the 25th convocation ceremony of the University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
held at the institution’s main campus along Nwaniba road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Represented by the Executive
Secretary National Universities Commission, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, the
President said it was disturbing for ASUU to look away from issues of
plagiarism, sorting and sexual harassment plaguing the university system,
adding that such aspect of academic corruption should also be of concern to
ASUU. .
According to the statement,
“Permit me to share my thought with the Academic Staff Union of Universities. I
commend them for being a loud voice for the revitalization of university
education in Nigeria over the years.
“However, I want to challenge
them to throw their searchlight on the issues of corporate governance of their
various institutions.
“It would amount to unwholesome
critical posturing if their criticism is directed at the perceived failure of government
alone while they look away at obvious governance inadequacies of their own
institution, right under their nose.
“It would give credence and
credibility to their fearless critical stance with regard to the government if
they address internal university management flaws with equal and unsparing
forthrightness.
“It is very disheartening to hear
about the increase in incidents of plagiarism, sorting and sexual harassment in
many universities in the country. These aspects of academic corruption should
also be of concern to ASUU and indeed the academia as a whole.
“We should be able to look up to
the university as a citadel of probity, accountability, transparency, critical
inquiry and freedom.“
In his goodwill message, Governor
of Akwa Ibom State,Udom Emmanuel lauded the significant strides the University
of Uyo had made over the years and pledged that his administration would
continue to support development efforts of the institution.
“Let me commend the management of
the University for the strides recorded academic and physical development over
the years. We have supported this institution before but we will continue to
support you for greater heights,” Emmanuel said.
In his address, the
Vice-chancellor of the University, Prof Enefiok Essien, congratulated President
Muhammadu Buhari, the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel and Chancellor of
the University, Alh. Abubakar Maje for their unwavering commitment to the
development of the institution.
He said the University has made
steady progress over the years, recording great feats in so many fields of
endeavours, adding that to meet the changing needs of the larger society, the
university evolved new academic programmes, created new departments and
modified new ones to accommodate global best practices.
The Professor of law who noted
that the institution had made significant progress in physical development and
staff welfare, however, lamented inadequate funding for the university.
He said the university despite
repeated pleas and requests was not given any take-off grant at creation,
saying that has contributed greatly to the inability of the institution to meet
challenges of security and expansion.
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