Corruption: Eksu Seeks Stiffer Screening For Varsity Appointees, Graduates 10,614

JOHN ABIODUN, ADO EKITI

Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, Prof Samuel Oye Bandele, has advocated stiffer security scrutiny for prospective nominees for management positions of Nigerian universities before ratification of their appointments.

Bandele said such was crucial in efforts to stamp out corruption in the country’s ivory towers and ensure that those with
criminal tendencies, corruption and immoral acts were exposed by security agencies particularly Department of State Services (DSS) before getting to such positions.

The Vice Chancellor, who spoke yesterday during the institution’s pre-22nd convocation ceremonies press briefing, said: “The Federal Government must screen very well whoever wants to occupy the management positions in universities. There should be critical screening procedure for these people, so that criminals won’t find their ways into such exalted positions”.

Bamidele reiterated commitment of the institution towards attaining full residential status, saying construction work on the 20,000 bed-spaces hostel in the institution is ongoing.

According to him, the hostel, when completed, alongside others already existing in the university which was established on non-residential basis 35 years ago, would accommodate the over 20,000 population of the school on the campus.

He said accommodating the students on campus where there could be a level of control over their activities had a role to play in attainment of the institution goal of producing “academically sound, creative and entrepreneurial students who will be equipped with skills needed for survival in society.

He said 10,614 students comprising 10,206 first degree and 398 postgraduate degrees would be officially conferred with their degrees on Friday and Saturday.

Bandele disclosed that Miss Damilola Eunice Adedeji of the Department of Plant science led the pack of 37 graduates who bagged First Class, while 1638 and 5395 others got second class upper and second class lower degrees respectively. A total of 3012 students secured third class while 124 got pass.

The VC said honorary doctorates would be conferred on Governors of Gombe and Oyo States, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo and Senator Abiola Ajimobi respectively, as well as the
Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; and House of Representatives member, Hon Oladipupo Adebutu as part of activities for the convocation ceremonies.

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, also yesterday inaugurated the N70 million Water factory built by the university, describing the entrepreneurial policy of the institution as outstanding.

The VC disclosed that the institution’s business innovations which included EKSU Water, block making industry, printing press, bakery and feedmills, would help in shoring up the internally generated revenues of the school.