Medical doctors in Lagos State, under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Medical Guild and Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), have alleged that there are plans by political forces to impose a vice chancellor on Lagos State University (LASU).
It said there was also a plan to prevent medical doctors, who are professors of clinical medicine, from emerging as vice chancellor in the university as part of a larger conspiracy. Chairman, NMA Lagos, Dr. Adetunji Adenekan; Chairman Medical Guild, Dr. Oluwajimi Sodipo and Chairman, MDCAN LASUTH, Dr. Mumuni Amisu, yesterday, in a joint statement on the vice chancellor selection crisis in LASU, said:
“We wish to bring to the attention of the good people of Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and all stakeholders our observation on the events surrounding the appointment of a ninth vice chancellor of LASU viz a viz our role, expectations and fears.
“Following the expiration of the tenure of the former vice chancellor, the Governing Council of the university advertised vacancy of the office of the vice chancellor of LASU. Eligible academics from within and outside of LASU applied for the position, including some bonafide professors in the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM).
“The process of appointment of the university vice chancellor, which often terminates at the university level with the selection of three adjudged best candidates by the University Joint Senate and Council Selection Committee for consideration of the University Visitor (the State Governor), was completed twice.
“On each occasion, the university council had presented three names to the governor for final selection of the vice chancellor, but the governor had ordered fresh selection process each time. The excuse that was given each time the process was scuttled at the last lap on the governor’s table has always been some petitions from certain quarters within the university.”
They said despite the fact that three past vice chancellors of LASU were medical doctors with fellowship and the condition of service of LASU recognised such, just as every other university in Nigeria; the chairman of the panel continued to insinuate that professors of clinical medicine should not become university vice chancellors because they hold the medical fellowship in lieu of Ph.D.
They expressed fear that political interference and the seemingly apparent discrimination against the medical profession and established medical education in Nigeria may derail the university system as this will send a message to all clinical lecturers in the College of Medicine in general as unwanted members of the university community and to the selected professors of clinical medicine in the university specifically, as being perceived as second-rate academics in LASU despite proving their mettle by coming top in the interviews conducted.
source: Medicalworldnigeria
