Recently, President Goodluck Jonathan announced the dissolution of boards of all government's establishments and parastatals,explaining that the dissolution was a normal routine to re-position government for more effectiveness and not necessarily because the sacked 'appointees have not done well'. Yes, the President has spoken. But the effect of that terse statement is much more devastating than what Mr. President himself could imagine. The seemingly innocuous dissolution, which Mr. President felt would create 'jobs for the boys', has in some cases, set the country backward. In fact, the halting of government's machineries, in the garb of dissolution and re-constituting the boards, at a convenient time, is to say the least, anti-climax in some situations.Governing Councils of the University of Ibadan (UI) which was constituted in February 2009 by the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, is one of those badly hit by this recent dissolution. Without an iota of doubt, and with the benefit of hindsight, one could assert that it was God himself who inspired the late President to appoint Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council (the most powerful body on campus).However, since his appointment as the representative of the Visitor to the university, Olanipekun has not only left the university better than he met it, in terms of quality leadership, but has also created a record of value addition that is indelibly etched in the memories of all stakeholders. Shortly after he was appointed, Olanipekun went back to Yar'Adua to plead for the release of fund to open up the phase two of the university for development as the main campus was already choked up. It is on record that the argument of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria facilitated the release of a whoopping sum of N1.3 billion with which Ajibode project was kick started. Amazed by his first miracle, students and staff members of the university, quickly nicknamed Olanipekun as the 'Father of the Modern UI.' Right from day one of his appointment, he refused to take sitting allowance; rather he directed that the money be kept in a special account. Olanipekun who is renowned for humanitarianism and philanthropy used the money on July 19, 2011 to launch scholarship for undergraduate students. He gave scholarship to 15 students in three Faculties including Law, Medicine and Computer Science. He insisted that he has come to add to UI and not to take away from the university that belongs to all Nigerians. It is too soon to forget his recent financial assistance to UI when on August 26, 2011 rain wreaked havoc in the institution, destroying property valued at close to N10 billion. Olanipekun paid immediate visit to UI, assessed the level of damage and made a personal donation of N10 million to repair some of the damaged property. How else can someone be more caring' What else do we expect from a Council Chairman'In August 2010, there was a terrible religious crisis in UI when a Christian female student sneaked into the Central Mosque on Friday and derogatorily preached to the Muslim faithful to accept Jesus. In the vortex of the emerging tension, the Council Chairman stormed the campus and on the following Friday, went to the mosque where he sued for peace. He succeeded in persuading the Muslim faithful and doused the tension.Again, it is on record that he introduced what he called 'an early appointment model' in UI. The model in which Principal Officers of the university are appointed six months before the tenure expiration of the incumbent has since been copied by many universities in the country. For the first time in UI, Olanipekun's model saw to the appointment of the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Folorunsho Adewole, without anybody going to court.Olanipekun's model has also ensured the appointment of the Librarian without anybody complaining of cheating or foul play. At the Council's level, he directed that the Council's decisions be made available to members of the community which was never the practice before. Yet, he did all these in a less noisome manner. But for space constraint, one can go on and on, citing Olanipekun's achievements within just two years.Now, with the dissolution of Council, Jonathan has created a cliff-hanger. The university community is now anticipating various scenarios: Will the president bring back this selfless achiever to continue his good work or another person will be appointed' We plead for an endorsement of policy continuity. We in UI, following the remarkable achievements of sagacious Olanipekun, humbly beg Mr. President to re-appoint this humane lawyer to continue with his good job. His tenure was so good that it must be allowed to last. He has just spent two years out of five. He never gained anything; rather, he was spending his personal resources to better the lots of the institution. He never introduced any contractor for job, yet the Council approved many projects. His reputation for scrupulousness is no hype.It is obvious that one is writing with some restlessness that speaks of a subdued frustration, occasioned by this sudden dissolution of Council. Asking Olanipekun to just go this way certainly amounts to an attitude of ingratitude. And unless the President re-appoints this easy-going leader, our stable enjoyment of quality leadership may be torpedoed. At the moment, the UI community is helpless. But this helplessness must not lead to despondency. Reasons must be allowed to rule over narrow mindedness of those who may want to oppose his second-coming.With his achievements so far, we have nothing left to wish for. Olanipekun came to UI with the profundity of knowledge which has rubbed off significantly on the system. Indeed, the thoroughness of his homework, the analytical precision of his arguments and the courage with which he marshaled his points were some of the benefits UI will never forget. His personality traits certainly have corresponding impacts that will last for many years to come.Obviously, political instability, as well as policy somersault in this country are major impediments to meaningful development. The Council was constituted to last for five years, but the death of Yar'Adua, coupled with the desire of the sitting President to compensate political jobbers who worked for him during the election, have caused the Council to be dissolved. When it will be re-constituted, new faces will probably be invited to 'come and chop' Consequently, the good work in UI and elsewhere has to stop. While I have no problem with government's decision to compensate political friends, I pray that the captain of the old ship be returned to UI.
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