Group wants indigene as LASU VC

A non-governmental organisation, the Eko Foundation, has implored Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to ensure that a n experienced and qualified indigine of Lagos State is appointed to fillthe vacant seat of the Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU).  The group also said the eligible candidate for the position should emerge through a free, fair and […]

A non-governmental organisation, the Eko Foundation, has implored Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to ensure that a n experienced and qualified indigine of Lagos State is appointed to fillthe vacant seat of the Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU).
 The group also said the eligible candidate for the position should emerge through a free, fair and transparent process, devoid of manipulations and ‘working to the answer’ device, by interested groups.
 The group’s president, Prof. Imran Oluwole Smith, SAN and General-Secretary, Kunle Uthman, said in a statement that since the establishment of LASU over three decades ago, the institution had seven substantive vice chancellors out of which only three were true indigenes of the state.
The group said tinkering with the process of appointment and imposition of candidate by the military, internal crisis resulting in ad-hoc responses from the state government, expression of preference for a specific candidate by power brokers in the state, for no just cause and lack of transparent process, were responsible for the sorry state of affairs in the institution over the years.
 According to the group, contrary to the norms and practice in other state universities and the dictate of true federalism, LASU is run and operated like a federal university where indigeneship of a state is not a factor to be considered in the appointment of a vice chancellor.
 It said, “It is indeed painful and disturbing that eminently qualified indigenes of this state, with track records of academic and administrative accomplishments in the academia are not  considered for the position of vice chancellor in other states of the federation, on account of being non-indigenes of those states. 
 
“It is on this well justified ground that the indigenes of this state feel strongly that a vice chancellor for LASU should necessarily be a qualified, competent and experienced indigene of Lagos State. And there are many such people in the system.
 
“Eko Foundation therefore calls on the Governing Council of LASU led by the able, competent and experienced indigene of Lagos State, Professor Bayo Ninalowo and the state government, particularly His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and other stakeholders, to take cognisance of the legitimate concerns of the indigenes of this state and ensure that an indigene of Lagos State emerges as the vice chancellor of our University.”