Registrars pivotal to Nigerian universities’ broad goals – FUL VC

By Thompson Yamput

The Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja (FUL) Prof.  Olayemi Akinwumi, says Registrars as Chief Administrative Officers of universities are pivotal to achievements of  broad goals of Nigerian universities.

Akinwumi said registrars remained  the driving force behind the administrative machinery of universities.

He  stated this on Wednesday in his address at the 15th  Workshop and 73rd  Business Meeting of Association Of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU) held at FUL, Kogi.

The vice chancellor  described the theme of the  workshop:  “Repositioning the Administrative Machinery of the Nigerian University System for Global Competitiveness: The Role of Registrars as key Drivers,” as timely and relevant.

He said the theme was relevant as Nigeria continued to strive for excellence toward positioning its universities for global competitions.

“Personally, I attach great importance to this gathering as a valuable opportunity and veritable platform to strengthen bonds, discuss all areas of concern in today’s registries openly and frankly.

“It is also expected that part of the  Business Meeting will be deepening of partnerships among university registries in very practical ways, ”  he said.

He said that collaboration among universities had become imperative in the face of ever changing dynamics of university administration,  driven by an equally volatile information and communication technology.

According to him, such collaborative relationships help to build complementary strengths, exchange views on pressing areas of concerns affecting your work, build valuable bridges such that with everyone working together, Nigerian universities will become truly globally competitive.

The vice chancellor noted that the first workshop and 73  Business Meeting of the association, which provided an opportunity to learn, unlearn and relearn through exchange of views, must be a defining feature for future Nigerian university registries.

Akinwumi also expressed hope that the workshop and business sessions would produce actionable recommendations in the nearest future.

“We are honoured to have been chosen as the host of this important event and we are truly happy to have you here,” he said.

In her goodwill message, Kogi Head of Civil Service, Mrs Hannah Odiyo, appealed to the registrar to find lasting solution to lecturers’ incessant strikes that had been affecting standard and growth of education in Nigeria.

Odiyo said  the appeal became necessary so that hardworking students who had maintained high grades from the beginning were not suddenly brought down unnecessarily by angry staff.

“It’s my belief that you, members of this noble association, will find a way of pleading with the lecturers to have mercy on the students who are our children.

“As much as it is not the fault of the lecturers that strikes  crop up, it is also not the fault of the students that they happen. In fact, no party and nobody is happy about incessant strikes in the nation,”  she said.

(NAN)