A Civil Right Group, Coalition for Peace and Justice in Nigeria (CPJN), has said the demands of the aggrieved members of Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, host community is out of place and advised them to channel their energy rightly regarding them from the university.
Members of the host communities, on Monday, carried out a peaceful protest at the university campus to compel the school management to attend to their demands, some of which bothered on job opportunities, scholarship opportunities, contract opportunities, and also requested that of one of their own be appointed as a member of the management team at any point in time, starting with the post of the Registrar.
Executive Director of the Coalition, Dr. Kensington Ogbu in a statement, asked the aggrieved youths that their demands are out of place, “because Bingham University like any other University has extant laws that guides its operations and cannot go against its regulations to meet the aspirations of one man’.
More so, the requirement advertised is in line with what is obtainable in other universities in the Nigerian University System
He appealed to the protesting youths against destabilizing academic peace and harmony in the school, assuring that the school operates an open door policy, and also promote equity, fairness and justice to all irrespective of differences in tribe, religious, political affiliations or others.
He confirmed that the University recently placed an advert (internal and external) for the positions of the Registrar and Librarian, stressing that no one is excluded from submitting applications for the vacancy as long the set criteria and best practices are complied with.
He explained that the practice in the Nigerian university system is that any applicant above 60 years of age is no longer eligible for the Registrar position, and that part of the criteria is known to all parties interested in the position.
“It’s not a decision of Bingham University alone, but in line with retirement age of 65 years as obtainable in other universities, he said.
“Unfortunately, but for some sinister reason(s), the protesting youths in question are laying claim to the position of the Registrar perhaps, because there is a Senior Deputy Registrar of Gbagyi extraction in the employment of Bingham University who might be interested in the position, ” he said.
He further said that Bingham university cannot violate its own regulations to meet the aspirations of one individual.
Apparently, the protesting youths are operating in little ignorance, hence, they should study the criteria for such a top management position and follow the application process carefully.
Dr. Ogbu, however appealed to ECWA President and other top leaders of the Gbagyi community who, expectedly, understand the processes to speak to the protesting youths and the leadership of the host community on how the system operates, and possibly guide them on the requirements to get such appointment either in the immediate or future.