Adikwu Emerges New UniAbuja VC
By Suleiman Bello
Governing council of the University of Abuja on Monday elected Professor Michael Umale Adikwu of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as the new vice chancellor, replacing the Professor James Adelabu, whose tenure expired Tuesday.
A member of the governing council of the university, who pleaded anonymity, broke the news to journalists after the election exercise.
It would be recalled that the selection of a new VC for the university was stalled last week following the unavailability of the security reports on the three leading candidates, prompting the council to postpone the exercise till today.
Professor Michael Umale Adikwu finally emerged from a long list of 124 candidates who had applied for the post, which was later reduced to 10 and finally to three.
The trio are: Professors Umaru Danbatta, a professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Kano State (North West); Raheem Lawal, a professor of Language Education from Kwara State (North Central), and Michael Umale Adikwu, a professor of Pharmacy from Benue State (North Central).
The three shortlisted candidates sources said were interviewed by the governing council.
The interview sources informed were based on the applicant appearance which carried 5 marks, reaction to questions, diction and comportment which carried 10 marks and knowledge of the workings of the university system which also attracted 10 marks.
Other criteria used in assessing the candidates included relationship between the university and government agencies and other stakeholders which had 15, social workings of the university system, 15, ability to manage crisis, 10, ability to attract funds, 15, and stakeholders forum 20 marks.
The new vice-chancellor is expected to unify a divided academic community, restore academic stability and normalcy in the university