Campus Daily Online

As the Bursar of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Dr (Mrs) May Nwoye is entitled to renewal of her appointment when her tenure expires next Monday, but the position has been declared vacant, provoking comments about plans to force her out.

Politics and academics are not expected to mix. But often times they mix on campuses whenever a vacancy exists in the principal offices. When these positions become vacant, the university becomes a huge political field with contending interests. These are the offices on which a university oscillates. Occupants of these offices wield enormous powers within the university community and are primus inter pares (first among equals).
Soon, the position of Bursar will become vacant at the University of Benin (UNIBEN). The tenure of the Bursar, Dr May Nwoye, expires next Monday. Although she is entitled to a renewal of her appointment, it seems some forces are against her return. Her position has been declared vacant, without consideration for her eligibility to another term.
Those who should know say there is no love lost between her and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin. The duo, they claim, are involved in a personality clash. But, according to a source, they are using others to fight their battle.
There is, however, no doubt that what is happening is reminiscent of events that rocked the institution before Oshodin emerged as vice-chancellor in 2010. Before Oshodin's appointment, an intense battle was fought by many faceless individuals both within and outside the university community. On one side were those who insisted that a professor of Benin extraction should be appointed vice-chancellor, claiming marginalisation of Bini dons over the years. Others insisted that the appointment should be free of ethnic inclination. Academic and non-academic unions in the institution were split over the issue until Oshodin, a Bini, got the job.
Two years after, a similar crisis is brewing. Trouble started in December after the Bursar's job was advertised in some newspapers. Dr Nwoye, it is believed, was not aware that the university management declared her position vacant. She was said to have been dumbfounded when she saw the advert.
Investigations showed that Dr Nwoye still has 10 years before attaining the compulsory retirement age.
The battle over the appointment of the Bursar is causing acrimony between those loyal to Oshodin and Nwoye.
The battle has split the university into groups like Justice and Fairness Forum, Edo United Professionals, Concerned Retirees of University of Benin, UNIBEN Development Stakeholders Forum and Committee on Advocacy for the Protection of Rights of Women, among others. While some groups are calling for her replacement, others are insisting that she should be given a second chance.
Those rooting for a new bursar want Dr Nwoye to re-apply and follow due process if she wants a second term. They petitioned the Education Minister, Prof Ruqqayatu Ahmed Rufa'i, calling for a probe into alleged fraud in the Bursary Department.
The petition urged the Minister to stop the university management from renewing Dr. Nwoye's tenure or stop her from proceeding on the mandatory annual leave at the expiration of her tenure.
Part of the letter reads: "It is common knowledge in the University of Benin to find the Bursar holding secret custody of idle bank accounts of the university for as long as four years without the vice-chancellor’s and top officers’ knowledge."
But those fighting for Dr Nwoye's re-appointment claim that those pushing for her ouster want direct access to the university's purse.
They argued that Dr Nwoye should be given a second chance if she is qualified for a renewal of appointment, warning that the university should not be thrown into another crisis.
However, a lecturer, who pleaded for anonymity, said the main problem is access to the university's fund.
The lecturer told The Nation that there has not been any confrontation between the Bursar and VC, adding that it is a surprise that their personal problem has degenerated.
The source said: "This is not an ethnic issue. Many Benin professors are of the opinion that Dr. Nwoye should continue. It has nothing to do with ethnicity as canvassed by some persons.
"The Bursar does not dish out money. She is conservative and does not know how to play politics. If she had opened the university's purse, this crisis would not have occurred.
“There is no indictment on the Bursar and anyway, must Dr. Nwoye be a Bursar? She can go to the department and lecture.”
Another source told reporters that one Victor Usunobun Imagbe, said to be a cousin of the VC, is being groomed to become the next Bursar. The source said many names behind the splinter groups are unknown to the university community.
Reacting, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr Harris Osarenren, said there was a good working relationship between Oshodin and Dr Nwoye, debunking allegations that the VC wants to support his cousin to become the next Bursar.
Osarenren said the university would not compromise merit in the appointment of persons to positions of authority, adding that Dr. Nwoye should re-apply because her position will become vacant soon.
He said the VC has been following due process by ensuring merit in appointments.
Approached to comment, Dr Nwoye declined, saying as a civil servant she is not authorised to talk to the press.

curled from The Nation.