Benin, Edo, Nigeria – By Sonde Ojeikere
As the five-year-tenure of the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Professor Osayuki Oshodin expires on November 29, 2014, six eminent Professors of the Ivory Tower have started jostling for the plum job.
Besides the six UNIBEN Professors who have reportedly indicated interests in the Vice Chancellorship position, the institution’s Search Team is said to have started beaming its search light on qualified Professors within and outside the University for the job.
Alltimepost.com gathered that So far, the six Professors, said to have indicated their interests in the position include, former Deputy Chancellor (Academics), Professor John Okhuoya, Professor Patrick Igbinovia, Professor Friday Okonofua, Professor F. Okiemen and Professor K.A. Ghafona.
The sixth person, according to our source is a female professor, Obehi Okojie, who is said to be making waves in the race.
Alltimepost.com investigations have revealed that major lobbying and intrigues are already taking place within and outside the campus of the University over the would-soon-be-vacant position.
But while the institution’s search team is beaming its search light on merit as a yardstick for choosing Professor Oshodin’s successor, some interested parties are introducing ethnicity into the selection process, our source further revealed.
Only recently, the UNIBEN Vice Chancellor, Professor Oshodin tasked stakeholders in the University to ensure that they select a capable person to succeed him.
According to him, only person who has vision is good enough to be appointed the Vice Chancellor, so as to sustain enviable achievements recorded by his administration.
The office of the Vice Chancellor could not be reached for comment as of press time.
