Connect with us

News

Jega Advocates Merit-Based Leadership in Nigerian Universities

Published

on

Professor Attahiru Jega
Professor Attahiru Jega former chairman INEC

 

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and renowned academic, Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, has called on the Federal Government to entrench merit, competence, and integrity as the guiding principles in the appointment of leadership across Nigerian universities.

He warned that the increasing politicisation of such appointments poses a serious threat to academic standards, institutional autonomy, and the future of higher education in the country.

Professor Jega made this call on Thursday while delivering the 3rd Abdullahi Mahadi Annual Memorial Lecture at Gombe state University, Gombe State. The lecture, titled “Challenges and Prospects of Improving University Governance in Nigeria,” examined the structural, administrative, and policy-related obstacles confronting university governance in Nigeria.

The distinguished Professor of Political Science and a one time Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, described universities as specialised intellectual institutions that require visionary, experienced, and academically grounded leadership to fulfil their mandates of teaching, research, and community service.

“A university is not a political platform. It is a centre for knowledge creation and human capital development. It cannot achieve its core objectives when leadership appointments are driven by political considerations rather than academic merit,” he stated.

Advert

Professor Jega expressed deep concern over persistent political interference in the appointment of vice-chancellors, governing council members, and other principal officers. He observed that this trend has weakened governance structures, encouraged poor administrative decisions, undermined staff morale, and contributed significantly to the gradual decline in the quality of higher education in the country.

He stressed the urgent need for transparent, competitive, and merit-driven selection processes, anchored on clear criteria, academic record, leadership experience, and professional credibility. According to him, insulating universities from undue political influence is essential for restoring confidence in the system and positioning Nigerian universities to compete favourably at the global level.

Professor Jega further warned that failure to reform university governance would continue to erode the capacity of tertiary institutions to produce graduates who are innovative, globally competitive, and capable of driving sustainable national development.

The memorial lecture was delivered in honour of the late Professor Abdullahi Mahadi, a pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Gombe State University, whose contributions to scholarship, leadership, and the growth of the institution were widely acknowledged during the event.

Speaking earlier as Chairman of the Occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere, Professor Umaru Pate, commended Gombe State University for sustaining the Abdullahi Mahadi Annual Memorial Lecture, describing it as a worthy tribute to the late pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

Professor Pate expressed appreciation to the GSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aliyu Yauta, and the university management for sustaining the initiative, noting that maintaining such academic traditions in Nigerian universities is often challenging.

He also described the Guest Lecturer, Professor Jega, as eminently qualified to speak on the theme, noting his deep experience in university governance and his long-standing professional relationship with the late Professor Abdullahi Mahadi.

Reflecting on Mahadi’s life, Professor Pate said the late scholar left behind an enduring legacy of service, scholarship, and institutional development at Gombe State University and beyond.

The lecture attracted a wide audience of academics, policymakers, students, and education stakeholders, including the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau. Participants described the event as timely and impactful in shaping the future of university governance in Nigeria.

News

Kano Committee Inspects Facilities Ahead of Safe Corridor Project Take-Off

Published

on

 

The Coordinator of the Safe Corridor Programme and Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, on Sunday led members of the programme committee Team on an inspection tour of facilities at the Corporate Security Institute, Gabasawa, ahead of the commencement of the project

The Safe Corridor Programe is a non-kinetic initiative designed to support rehabilitation, empowerment, reintegration, through reorientation, and peace building, to achieve security and stability in Kano community, as part of a broader efforts to address security challenges especially daba fight and other related activities through non- kinetic approaches.

During the visit, the committee inspected key places including accommodation facility, training hall, sports areas, classes ad other essential structures expected to support the successful implementation of the programme.

Speaking during the inspection, Comrade Waiya said the initiative reflects the commitment of the Kano State Government towards strengthening peace, social stability, and community development through dialogue, Sensitization, and empowerment.

Advert

He noted that, adequate preparations are being made to ensure a smooth and successful take-off of the project, while assuring that the committee remains focused on delivering on its mandate.

Members of the committee during the tour expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness at the facility, stating that arrangements are being concluded ahead of the official launch of the programme.
Some of the personalities who were part of the tour team included: Alh. Shehu Mohammed, Sarkin Shanu, Alh. Alh. Aliyu Umar Harazimi, Dan Amar, Hakimin Gobirawa, State Commander, of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Alh. Lawan Dahiru, Alh. Sabiu Bako, a businessman, Representatives of the civil society organizations, as well as other critical stakeholders

During, the visit, the Commissioner, for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, assured the people of Kano that, His Excellency, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, is. committed to addressing the challenges of daba and political thuggery in the State.

Continue Reading

News

Kano ADC Chairmen Endorse Atiku Abubakar as Party’s Presidential Candidate

Published

on

Abbas Yushau Yusuf

The African Democratic Congress Chairmen of the 44 Local Governments in Kano have endorsed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the party in the 2027 general elections.

Tijjani Rabiu Bashir, the ADC Chairman of Dambatta Local Government, stated this while addressing newsmen in Kano on behalf of the remaining chairmen of the local governments.

According to Tijjani Rabiu Bashir, the 44 Local Government Chairmen of the ADC have unanimously agreed that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is their candidate for the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the ADC.

Advert

The chairman said that after due consultation and considering the situation in which Nigeria finds itself, they have unanimously agreed and adopted Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as their presidential candidate.

“We have agreed to endorse Alhaji Atiku’s candidacy due to his competence and pedigree, ensuring peace, uniting the nation, and his efforts toward enduring peace throughout the federation,” said Rabiu Bashir.

They further called on all stakeholders to support the candidature of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to ensure a prosperous Nigeria.

 

Continue Reading

News

President Tinubu Clinches APC Presidential Ticket with 10.9m Votes

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has emerged as the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 general election after securing nearly 11 million votes in the party’s nationwide primary election.

The results, drawn from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, showed President Tinubu in a commanding lead over fellow aspirant Stanley Osifo, cementing his dominance within the ruling party ahead of the next electoral cycle.

President Bola Tinubu secured 10.99 million votes to defeat his sole rival, who polled 16,504 votes, in the All Progressives Congress presidential primary election held across 8,809 wards nationwide.

The figures were announced during the ongoing national collation of results at the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Advert

Governors of 31 states, alongside other senior party figures serving as state coordinators and collation officers, presented the outcomes of the direct primaries to the Presidential Primary Election Committee chaired by former Senate President Pius Anyim.

In the South-West, Tinubu recorded commanding victories in key states considered strongholds of the party. He polled 814,988 votes in Lagos, 322,485 in Ogun, 181,996 in Ondo, 142,754 in Oyo, 100,888 in Osun, and 85,340 votes in Ekiti. Osifo managed only marginal figures in the zone, including 1,186 votes in Lagos and 929 votes in Oyo, while recording zero votes in several states.

The North-West also delivered overwhelming support for the President. Kaduna produced one of the highest figures with 618,914 votes for Tinubu, while Kano returned 500,852 votes. Katsina gave him 467,003 votes, Gombe recorded 450,517, Kebbi delivered 292,972, Sokoto returned 301,000, and Zamfara added 321,579 votes. Osifo’s performance remained weak across the region, with only scattered votes recorded in a few states.

In the North-Central region, Tinubu maintained a wide lead with 310,990 votes in Kwara, 285,436 in Nasarawa, 241,720 in Plateau, 197,370 in Kogi, 175,487 in Niger, and 374,787 votes in Benue. The Federal Capital Territory also delivered 36,103 votes to the President, while Osifo failed to secure any vote there.

The South-East and South-South zones equally produced impressive numbers for Tinubu.

He secured 582,960 votes in Imo, 383,382 in Enugu, 207,579 in Ebonyi, 161,005 in Abia, and 43,034 in Anambra. In the South-South, Tinubu polled 407,646 votes in Delta, 389,197 in Akwa Ibom, 280,082 in Rivers, and 227,192 in Bayelsa. Osifo recorded modest figures in a handful of states, including 1,007 votes in Abia and 384 votes in Anambra.

At the end of collation, Tinubu emerged with a total of 10,999,967 votes, while Osifo garnered 16,504 votes nationwide.

Continue Reading

Trending