From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
His Royal Majesty, Orcivirigh, Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, Tor Tiv, and Chancellor of the University of Benin, has tasked the federal government with lifting the current embargo on employment in federal tertiary institutions to drive new ideas into the system.
He made this call while speaking at the 49th and 50th Convocation of the University in Benin City.
Prof. Ayatse said the employment of fresh blood into the university system would not only revitalise the system but also inject new thinking and more innovative ideas into the institutions. He added that the current situation over the past few years has been inimical to the growth and progress of tertiary institutions across the country.
The Vice-Chancellor, Ayatse, while calling for the lifting of the embargo on employment in tertiary institutions, urged the government, as a matter of urgency, to reverse the current state of unemployment and seriously consider the meaningful engagement of youths, who are the bedrock of any nation’s development.
Ayatse also said that the federal government should look critically into the economic challenges currently plaguing the country, as the astronomical and fluctuating prices of petroleum products and exchange rates have had a cascading effect on the prices of goods and services.
He noted that these issues have had debilitating consequences on the lives of the people, especially families, and stressed that the government urgently needs to return to the drawing board to find lasting solutions to food insecurity and associated hardships.
The Vice-Chancellor further noted that there have been indications that the federal government has directed the removal of federal tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). He described this as a welcome development and a positive response to his appeal during last year’s convocation.
He expressed hope that due diligence would be observed in implementing the payment of federal university staff salaries under the alternative Government Integrated Financial Management Information System to prevent the alleged irregularities identified in the rejected system.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Benin, Prof. Shuaibu Umaru, stated that while they are not unmindful of the significant achievements made by the government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), they are grateful to President Bola Tinubu for the various steps taken through the agency to improve infrastructure development in the University of Benin. He also acknowledged the president’s efforts to address the demands of staff, even if not entirely resolved.
Highlighting funding as one of the challenges facing universities in the country, he pointed out that the situation has been worsened by the introduction of high and unrealistic electricity tariffs imposed on tertiary institutions, which many can barely survive.
Speaking about the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Lilian Salami, he commended President Bola Tinubu and the Hon. Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, for supporting the institution’s success.
He also expressed gratitude to the immediate past Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for rehabilitating some of the roads within the campus.