Delsu VC, Professor Andy O. Egwunyenga (front row-R-L 4th) flanked by top Management Staff of the University
By Samuel Ogude & Barachel Ukuta
A visiting scholar, National University Commission (UNC) Abuja, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba said lack of quality teaching and learning occasioned by lack of .research embarked upon by lecturers in Universities are reasons poor graduands turned out in Nigeria Universities every year.
Professor Nwajiuba stated this at the 16th Convocation Lecture of the Delta State University, Abraka, held today, Friday at the school premises titled” Universities Leadership, Contemporary Challenges: Are Nigerian Universities Failing God And Man?
According to him, many Professors do not embark on research to have latest ideas in their chosen careers because they got into the profession not by interest but by exigency of lack of job in the country.
According to him, Nigeria Universities have lost their standard due to the attitude of lecturers adding that, “University” as the name implies, is an academic institution that should turn out people with character and learning saying, it has become otherwise adding that, this has in turn affected regards for lecturers especially, Professors in the society.
He said: In olden days, a primary school headmaster was highly respected in the society let alone University lecturers”.He said in the 1970s and ‘80s, university graduates were highly respected because among others, the quality of lecturers that taught them, the standard admissions process, the standard of questions during examinations and the behaviour which they portrayed in the society, which he said, are no more saying, respect is not gifted but earned.
Delsu VC presents award to Professor Chinedum Nwanjiuba while others look on
His words:” In civilized society,University materials (graduates) are easily recognizable, Professors are respected that is why, here in Nigeria, they(Professors) are made Returning Officers during elections because it is believed, they would not let down themselves because of the respect and dignity they command in the society”.
According to him, the University system has failed in this regard saying that, until they go back to old days of University system, quality granduands would continue to be a mirage.
The erudite scholar also condemned the act of lecturers collecting money from students to award unmerited scores (marks) for them during tests and examinations saying, many of them who exhibit this character are not called for the job rather, they forced themselves into profession. His words: “Collecting money from students as monument is not correct, if lecturing is your calling, you will not lack”.
According to him,many lecturers do not only refuse to be in lecture hall to teach but do not impact the requisite knowledge on the students as many of them surface in the class to teach a week to examinations adding that, many of the students are not equally willing to learn hence, two weeks after school resumption, they (students) still sit at home. He said it is because of these that many people leave Nigeria to study abroad.
Audience in the hall
He said there are many levels of leadership in the school saying, the job of making the University standard where requisite character and learning to take place is not the responsibility of only the Vice Chancellor but of Heads of Department, Deans of Faculty, Directors – all to enable the institution achieve its desired goals.
Professor Nwajiuba also condemned the act of recruiting large numbers of non- academic staff than academics as the business of teaching and learning resides with academic staff hence, according to him, if non- academic staff go on strike, the school can run successfully but if academic staff go on strike, the entire system is shut down. The programme which drew scholars from many institutions of higher learning in the country climaxed with the presentation of award to the Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba amidst cheers.