ATTENTION: OPINION PAGE EDITOR
KUDOS TO BAMIRO, U.I V.C OVER REFORM
SUNDAY SAANU

One of the best things that the led could do to the leaders, particularly leaders that are “leading right” is to publicly commend them as such public commendation could propel the praised leaders into wanting to do more. Therefore, it is not out of place to publicly identify the good any leader has done and appreciate because sometimes, when leaders do wrong, we would not forget, but when they do what is right, we hardly remember!

It is against this background that I am compelled to praise the efforts of the vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan (U.I) Prof. Olufemi Bamiro whose brand of reform is gradually turning the premier University into a paradise. When Prof. Bamiro took over nobody envisaged the kind of a radical reform sweeping across the length and breath of the sprawling ancient campus.

Prof. Bamiro began with the massive road identification project across the campus, putting sign boards in all the roads within the campus. He later moved to the road rehabilitation. Today in U.I, all the roads which were hitherto unmotorable, have been rehabilitated, thereby making driving round much easier.

As if that was a child’s play, Prof. Bamiro picked up the antiquated Trenchard Hall, which has always been serving as a convocation hall. The professor of Technology gave the hall a modern touch – a befitting face life.
Today, Trenchard Hall is a beautiful bride in U.I as it is fully air-conditioned with a stand-by generating set.

What about various toilets ? In the past, one had to cover one’s nose while using the toilets as terrible stench around could precipitate vomiting, but today in U.I, the situation has changed for the better, the toilets are well managed and one could spend more than necessary time there. Trust students, they over-stay in toilets for the sake of writing and reading graffiti, courtesy their V.C’s reform agenda.

One can go on enumerating the achievements of Prof. Bamiro in U.I. within a short time in office. Indeed, his achievements are eloquent testimonies to his visionary and purposeful leadership. His critics have continued to wonder where he is getting money to prosecute all these laudable programmes. The point is, Prof. Bamiro is a highly resourceful person. He does not believe in storm without rain, neither does he tolerate motion without movement.

Students now refer to him as “an Action V.C” because whenever they complaint to his hearing, he personally sees to their needs. Some call him “Mr. Transformation” following how he is fast changing bad situations to good. If only Nigeria leaders, at all levels, can be as pragmatic and sincere as this U.I. V.C, how beautiful would Nigeria be?

Sunday Saanu
sundaysaanu@yahoo.com
University of Ibadan
Dept. of Communication and Language Arts

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