NANS Decries Delayed Appointment Of MAPOLY Rector, Composition Of Governing Council For Tertiary Institutions In Ogun

Ogun NANS Chairman 

ABEOKUTA - The Ogun State Chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has berated Ogun State Government for its prolonged delay in the appointment of substantive Rector for Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The student's body equally fumed at the state government's refusal to constitute Governing Council for all tertiary institutions in the state.

According to them, the delay in choosing a substantive Rector for 37years old institution is hampering the development of the institution and setting the school backward.

Addressing journalists in Abeokuta on Sunday, the NANS Chairman in Ogun State, Comrade Damilola Kehinde urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to consider the most experienced, qualified, and capable candidate as the substantive Rector for MAPOLY.

Kehinde, however, vowed to resist any attempt by some political appointees in the state jostling to influence the appointment process for their selfish gain.

The NANS Chairman warned that the leadership of NANS and NAOS would resist any attempt by anyone to impose an unqualified and unpopular candidate as the Rector of the institution. 

"However, it's critical that we call the attention of the Governor to the vital shortcomings in the sector which if left uncorrected can circumvent the effectiveness of the Academic sector.

"Chief among these shortcomings is the continuous and intentional negligence in constituting the Governing Council for Higher Institutions in the state. This is worrisome, to say the least.

"Judicious administration, formulation of policies and Stakeholders management are some of the advantages of a well-grounded Governing Council. That absence of this body has been robbing us of the aforementioned benefits and even more. Without delay, machinery must be put in place to see to the meritorious appointment and inauguration of Governing Council across our tertiary institutions.

"Mr. Governor, it is almost two years now that the prestigious MAPOLY has been without a substantive Rector and over one year that the screening committee, set up to conduct interviews for prospective candidates vying for the Rectorship position submitted its report to Your Excellency.

"We hereby demand that Your Excellency give MAPOLY a befitting Rector as a matter of urgency. The delay in choosing a substantive rector, almost years now has been hampering the development of the institution. 

"It is important to note that, the notable feats, one of which is restoring academic activities to MAPOLY after a long stalemate, among others achieved by your administration when you assumed office in 2019 are almost eroded by the non-appointment of a substantive Rector for the institution.

"Also, the lack of a substantive Rector in MAPOLY  has slowed down the operation of the institution and this is setting the school backward.

"We urge you to consider the most experienced, qualified, and capable candidate among the screened candidates as the substantive Rector of MAPOLY.

"More importantly, we want to warn that due process is followed in the appointment of the Rector. We are aware that some people are running around to influence the process for their selfish and political gains. 

"We want to state categorically that, the leadership of NANS and NAOSS will resist any attempt by any one individual to impose an unqualified and unpopular candidate as the Rector of the institution. We will not only fight against this but also mobilize our students from all over the State in a protest and shut down the State.

"We implore you to also carry along relevant stakeholders, such as ASUP, Student union government, and non-teaching staff in the process of appointing the most befitting Rector for MAPOLY.

"While we commend the efforts of your administration in improving the standard of education in the State, we urge Your Excellency to address the Rectorship issue in MAPOLY as quickly as possible."