Prof. Mathew Adamu assumes office as Acting VC of UniAbuja, pledges stability

Professor Mathew Adamu on Monday formally assumed office as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, (formerly University of Abuja), succeeding Professor Patricia Manko Lar, who concluded her six-month tenure. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Prof. Adamu called for unity and support from the university community to help steer the institution toward stability and […]

Professor Mathew Adamu on Monday formally assumed office as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, (formerly University of Abuja), succeeding Professor Patricia Manko Lar, who concluded her six-month tenure.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Prof. Adamu called for unity and support from the university community to help steer the institution toward stability and progress.

“Thank you, Professor Lar, because at the time you came in six months ago, this university was in the news for all the wrong reasons. But you made frantic efforts, sleepless nights to bring about stability,” he said.

 

Describing his role as transitional, Adamu likened his appointment to that of a midwife. “A midwife’s job is to ensure that you deliver the baby safely and the mother too, safe. As a veterinarian, I know that first, the mother’s life matters. Second, the reproductive health of the mother. Third, the child. The child is the least in order of importance.”

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He expressed confidence in the university’s Governing Council and its leadership. “The chairman of council, Distinguished Senator Dr. Olarewanju Tejuosho, is not new to me. He’s one of the most progressive leaders we’ve had in Nigeria. Just give him the support so that you’ll be able to succeed.”

 

Prof. Adamu urged staff to avoid gossip and instead offer constructive suggestions. “Suggestions, even if in writing, get them across. Gossip will not be welcome. We want to work and there’s no time.”

 

Earlier, Prof. Lar thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Education, and the Governing Council for the opportunity to serve. “It was exactly on the 11th of February, a day like this, six months ago that I came into this office.”

 

She apologised for any unintended offenses during her tenure and praised the university’s workforce. “Some promotions were suppressed… We had a committee that received over 400 complaints. The reports will come. I know you will do very well to digest and recommend to the council.”

 

She expressed gratitude to the university community and wished her successor success.