By Ojeikere Ikhazuagbe
BENIN (Sundiata Post) – Professor Edoba Omoregie (SAN) on Monday assumed office as the 11th substantive Vice-chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) with a promise to pledge to revolutionise the institution.
Omoregie, a professor of private property law in the Faculty of Law of the university, took over from Professor Lilian Salami of the Faculty of Education.
In his inaugural speech, the new vice chancellor promised to create an environment where all students, faculty, and staff feel valued and supported in their academic and career pursuits.
According to him, “I shall provide you with all the necessary support to make this a reality,” he declared, sending a strong signal that his administration would prioritise the welfare of students and staff.
The new vice chancellor, who acknowledged the challenges facing the Nigerian public university system to include dwindling public funding and frequent disruptions through strikes, pledged to mobilise the alumni body to play a vanguard role in advancing the institution.
He, however, expressed optimism that innovative funding, prioritising access to public university education, infrastructural development, and improved staff welfare, could help rejuvenate the system.
He commending the Federal Government’s efforts to provide access to university education through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Tetfund for its support on infrastructures.
The Vice Chancellor, appealed to the Tetfund to continue its support for the university.
He, however, praised his predecessor for her excellent service to the university and congratulated on her successful tenure.
Earlier in her speech, the outgone Vice Chancellor of the university, Salami, said she was able to deliver on her nine point agenda.
Salami, who was the second female vice-chancellor of the university assumed office on December 2, 2019.
“I was able to significantly improve infrastructure facilities in the institution despite the challenges posed by paucity of funds, the outbreak of COVID-19 and the incessant industrial actions.
“I have kept faith with the contacts and do not fail in the agenda. For instance, the ratio of non-teaching staff to teaching staff was abysmally low when we came.
“We were able to train and deploy non-academics to fill the gaps. Better could have been achieved if the Federal Government lifts the embargo on employment,” she stated.
The immediate past vice-chancellor, who commended the Federal and the Edo State governments for their support
opined that she was able to improve the ranking of the university.
She, however, urged the university community to extend more support to her successor for her to succeed.
