UNILORIN VC tasks lawmakers on ethical reorientation

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), has asked political office holders in the country to help change the mind-set of the people towards upholding honesty in all their undertakings.

Prof. Ambali stated this last Friday (December 16, 2016)when he received members of the Kwara State House of Assembly’s Committee on Education and Human Capital Development led by its Chairman, Hon. Jimoh Akanni AbdulRahman.

While addressing peculiar challenges associated with universities’ admission exercises, the Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Management Services), Prof. A. Y. AbdulKareem, told the legislators, “We want to crave your indulgence being very close to the grassroots; we are in a society where a lot of ugly things are happening, if you have the opportunity at the various ward levels, kindly help us find a way of enlightening, educating our people as well as the young ones about their attitudes to life.”

Prof. Ambali, who took the time to extensively clarify the University’s admission procedure to the lawmakers, stated that the Senate of universities are responsible for the admissions processes.

The Vice-Chancellor, also stressed the importance of embracing ICT in line with best practices across the world. He said that the University of Ilorin adheres strictly to the Federal Government’s guidelines on admissions, which comprise merit, catchment areas and educationally disadvantaged areas.

While noting that the institution does not intend to aggravate the burden of the people yearning for higher education, Prof. Ambali said that Kwara State benefits from all three criteria but added that nothing stops members of the University host communities from coming in through the merit list.

Making his remarks, the Registrar of the University, Mr Emmanuel Dada ,who explained that candidates are offered admissions once they satisfy the stipulated requirements, pointed out that experience from the recent admission process had clearly shown that, “our children do what they like and it is only when they have problems that they tell their parents and they often lie…”

In the same vein, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. (Mrs.) N.Y.S Ijaiya, in her comments, assured the visitors that the University looks after the interests of its students even beyond the expectation of their parents.

Prof. Ijaiya disclosed that every stage of the admission procedures has been effectively demonstrated putting the students in mind. She, however, lamented that some admission seekers tried to “cut corners” in the process of uploading results so as to take an undue advantage over others, hence disqualifying themselves from the admission process. “…Our screening exercise here is a continuous process; if we don’t catch them now, we can catch them in the final year and that will be too serious” she added.

Earlier in his address, the leader of the delegation, Hon AbdulRahman, disclosed that some identified challenges in the admission processes into the University were tabled on the floor of the House. He, therefore, called for synergy and more cooperation between the House and the University “in terms of admission for those that are well qualified”.

While noting that members of the Assembly represented different communities in Kwara State, Hon. AbdulRahman added that, “the University caters for the needs of our children that is why there should be a synergy with the State House of Assembly and the management of the University to work together.”.

Other members of the House of Assembly delegation were: Hon. Mohammed Mobolaji, Clerk of the Committee, Mr. S. M. Oyelowo and Mr. Suleiman Kavali.

Joining the Vice-Chancellor to receive the legislators were the Deputy Bursar Mr. Munir Dere; the Director, COMSIT, Prof. M. I. Ahmed; the Deputy Director Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun; the Principal Assistant Registrar, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mr. A. Sayuti, and the Protocol Officer to the Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Olatunde Agboola.