Who succeeds Oshodin as VC and how will he be judged?

WHEN I was informed that the five years tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Osayuki Godwin Oshodin will come to an end in a month’s time, I was faced with two problems: whether to pay him a visit in order to congratulate him on the successful completion of his tenure and his unprecedented achievements or to write this piece.

Many meanings might be read to it if I pay him a visit, either I am taken for contract seeker or mistaken for an applicant, I decided to write this piece to create avenue for those who might once again not be comfortable with my view and develop syncope after reading this piece, to either prove my judgment wrong or justify me after recuperating from the syncope attack.

On who becomes the vice-chancellor of UNIBEN after the tenure of Professor Nwanze expired, the Federal Civil Service Union where I served as the general secretary was among the unions, which showed concern during the protracted selection process and appointment crisis that claimed casualties (not death). A cabal tried to re-write UNIBEN’s history and subvert the procedure for VC selection and I was among the few individuals, who against all odds resisted and canvassed for a peaceful change through fair and credible selection process.

Fears and worries were the Siamese twins that characterised groups, unions and individuals who were for or against. Nobody was certain of what would become of UNIBEN after the selection process and the subsequent appointment of a VC, had the cabal succeeded in their selfish plot to impose a stooge, but the wisdom of Dr. Sam Egwu, the then minister of education and the Late President Yar’Adua paid, when through suggestions and recommendations, the Governing Council led by Professor Mvedenga Jibo was dissolved for failing to be responsible.

The dissolution of the Council paved way for credible selection process of candidates by the new Council, without ethnic or political consideration, this gave birth to the appointment of Professor Osayuki Oshodin in November 2009 and that is the success story of University of Benin that we are hearing, seeing and having today.

However, it is a believable lie but a stupid fact that he was appointed on ethnic ground. Many persons still erroneously perceive it that way but the fact remains that Prof. Oshodin through his achievements has not only succeeded in allaying the fears of the general public but has also redeemed the image of his people by proving that ethnicity is not a factor for good leadership or governance.

I had several times at any slightest opportunity deliberately brought UNIBEN as a topic for discussion in gatherings, especially when I know or sense that the discussants are either UNIBEN students or staff. It is often unknown to them that I am the “Faceless Comrade Ernest Bagudu” as erroneously referred to by some persons who felt my campaign for credible candidate in the selection process for the selection of UNIBEN VC was a threat to their selfish interest and inordinate ambition. The discussion was not aimed at exercising my buccal cavity or preventing halitosis but was aimed at making findings about Professor Oshodin’s administration. It has been a great privilege over the past four years to mingle and interact with many progressive staff and students in various departments of UNIBEN who have attested to the good leadership of Prof. Oshodin. It was fascinating as I listen to comments and observed the relationship and peaceful co-existence that exists in the institution and I concluded that if ever there was a time in history that one needs to study the principle of leadership, it is now, because every sector, be it education, industry, business or government, is starving for effective leadership but when parochially viewed by some persons, leadership looks so easy and people of this school of thought are the very few who still criticise and condemn Oshodin.

I know that some person might hammer me who do not wish to face reality and who will not be comfortable with this piece but if you have no enemy; it probably means you are a failure. On whatever ground Oshodin was selected and appointed, no regret because credibility is about performance, good leadership and governance and he has proved that he is not only a good teacher but also a great leader. This he manifested by guiding and developing the activities of others and seeking to provide continual training and direction. He also exerted special influence on the university system thereby moving it towards goals beneficial permanence that fulfill the university needs and by knowing the way, going the way and showing the way of structural and intellectual development.

For continuity of the dividend of Oshodin’s administration, whoever succeeds him must be such that is tested and trusted. That individual who has the capacity and integrity to continue from where he will stop, a man or woman who has the same vision and interest, not a mediocre whose interest is selfish and for personal aggrandizement and mass destruction.

Some intellectual lunatics and unrepentant detractors of him have been masquerading and sponsoring protests and blackmailing articles using some poverty induced media practitioners to discredit his achievement and pooh-pooh his person. But on what should one be judged? On facts or fiction? On sentiments or objectives? On performance or prejudice?

How has he been judged by the general public and his detractors? How will Oshodin be judged by posterity? The judgment of posterity is based on reality and who one is, but if today’s event are intentionally falsified and Oshodin’s achievements are deliberately discredited or replaced with selfish views and opinions, then history will be inaccurate and judgment of posterity will be faulty because an account of today’s event becomes tomorrow’s history; this forms the basis of the judgment of posterity.

I once again congratulate Prof. Osayuki Oshodin on his successful completion of his tenure and the unprecedented achievements recorded.

I pray for God’s continuous blessings, guidance and protection in his future endeavour and may his successor be such a man that will build on his structures, not the one that will destroy them.

We judge others by their actions but we judge ourselves by our intentions. Facts are sacred, comments are free.