 |
| Prof Tenebe |
I have
attracted more funds to Taraba varsity – Prof Tenebe
attracted more funds to Taraba varsity – Prof Tenebe
Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe is the Vice Chancellor
of Taraba State University, (TSU) Jalingo. In this interview with AYONI AGBABIAKA, the former VC of
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) says Taraba State University has the
potential to become the best university in Nigeria if adequately funded.
of Taraba State University, (TSU) Jalingo. In this interview with AYONI AGBABIAKA, the former VC of
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) says Taraba State University has the
potential to become the best university in Nigeria if adequately funded.
What is the university
management doing to avert future strikes?
management doing to avert future strikes?
The strike that occurred in this university some
months ago started from the national strike. ASUU chapter of this university
decided to join the national strike in solidarity. Well, that strike lasted for
about four months after which our local chapter continued with their strike to
demand for the things they were asking for even before the national
strike.
months ago started from the national strike. ASUU chapter of this university
decided to join the national strike in solidarity. Well, that strike lasted for
about four months after which our local chapter continued with their strike to
demand for the things they were asking for even before the national
strike.
Well, we tried our best to proffer solution to their
demands. I am happy now that we are back from the strike and both staff and
students are all busy to ensure that they catch up with the time lost. On our
part, we will try our best to ensure the promises made to the staff are kept. We
will also encourage the government to keep to their own side of the agreement
to ensure that we don’t have such occurrence in the future. We will try our
best to ensure harmonious relationship between staff and students to avoid
future dispute because it is not in anybody’s interest.
demands. I am happy now that we are back from the strike and both staff and
students are all busy to ensure that they catch up with the time lost. On our
part, we will try our best to ensure the promises made to the staff are kept. We
will also encourage the government to keep to their own side of the agreement
to ensure that we don’t have such occurrence in the future. We will try our
best to ensure harmonious relationship between staff and students to avoid
future dispute because it is not in anybody’s interest.
What is your
response to the allegation that you wasted the university fund by travelling
all over the world?
response to the allegation that you wasted the university fund by travelling
all over the world?
Laughs… That is funny because I always travel on
official duty, and it is my right to use my official entitlement to carry out
official duties, which are of benefit to the university. Here is Taraba State
University, but every major funding we need comes from Abuja. So if I don’t go
and participate in the meetings of vice chancellors, Federal Ministry of
Education, Central Bank of Nigeria or TETFUND and all the others, we can’t get
the funds we need. I have attracted more
funding, TETFund projects and opportunities to the university since I came on
board.
official duty, and it is my right to use my official entitlement to carry out
official duties, which are of benefit to the university. Here is Taraba State
University, but every major funding we need comes from Abuja. So if I don’t go
and participate in the meetings of vice chancellors, Federal Ministry of
Education, Central Bank of Nigeria or TETFUND and all the others, we can’t get
the funds we need. I have attracted more
funding, TETFund projects and opportunities to the university since I came on
board.
All over the country, there is no state university
that can boast of funding its university all alone. There is a lot of federal
government participation. So, when I travel from here, I go to Abuja and that
is all. I don’t go on any personal journey with official funds. Go and find out
from the records. I do go on personal journey which I use my personal money
because I earn my salary. So, I don’t travel for nothing more so that there are
more risks associated with travelling than staying in one place. So, all this
is a false accusation that holds no water at all.
that can boast of funding its university all alone. There is a lot of federal
government participation. So, when I travel from here, I go to Abuja and that
is all. I don’t go on any personal journey with official funds. Go and find out
from the records. I do go on personal journey which I use my personal money
because I earn my salary. So, I don’t travel for nothing more so that there are
more risks associated with travelling than staying in one place. So, all this
is a false accusation that holds no water at all.
What do you
say to the allegation that the university incurred debts running into a billion
under your watch?
say to the allegation that the university incurred debts running into a billion
under your watch?
What evidence do they have to show that we incurred
such debt? They are just spreading rumours. They should come with figures and
the persons we owe. When I took over this university, of course there was debt.
I tell you there is no organisation, including the states and the federal government
that is not indebted. There is no business that does not have assets and
liabilities. But to come out to say we are in debt of such an amount is a false
and malicious accusation which cannot be proved. Anyone that says so should
come out and show us the facts.
such debt? They are just spreading rumours. They should come with figures and
the persons we owe. When I took over this university, of course there was debt.
I tell you there is no organisation, including the states and the federal government
that is not indebted. There is no business that does not have assets and
liabilities. But to come out to say we are in debt of such an amount is a false
and malicious accusation which cannot be proved. Anyone that says so should
come out and show us the facts.
What is the
financial status of TSU?
financial status of TSU?
Actually, let me inform you that in the whole of
Nigeria, there is no university that can tell you it is adequately funded, and
that is the reason why ASUU has been on strikes. Of course, this country, like
so many others, cannot say we have all the funds that we need for our
developmental needs. So we normally utilise what is available to get what we
can get.
Nigeria, there is no university that can tell you it is adequately funded, and
that is the reason why ASUU has been on strikes. Of course, this country, like
so many others, cannot say we have all the funds that we need for our
developmental needs. So we normally utilise what is available to get what we
can get.
When I took over in this university, it lacked funds.
All the funding requirements, even by the Act of the university, were not being
implemented. But as I took over, I began to manage with the funds that are available.
For example, it is in the Act establishing this university that five per cent
of the total allocation of local governments should be sent to this university
to fund it. But since I came here, it has never been implemented and that is putting
us in some predicament.
All the funding requirements, even by the Act of the university, were not being
implemented. But as I took over, I began to manage with the funds that are available.
For example, it is in the Act establishing this university that five per cent
of the total allocation of local governments should be sent to this university
to fund it. But since I came here, it has never been implemented and that is putting
us in some predicament.
Even before I came, the total salary of the university
was not fully sent by the government. We kept augmenting it because we cannot
halt work solely because we didn’t get all that we want. So, I don’t think we
have any problem managing what we have now. But we are only pleading and
praying to get more, work hard and generate some income. There is no much internally
generated revenue (IGR) in this university because we are not in a business
environment in Jalingo. But that notwithstanding, we are trying to bring up
some projects that can generate revenue. I always tell people not to refer to fees
from students as IGR because all of that are tied to certain activities.
was not fully sent by the government. We kept augmenting it because we cannot
halt work solely because we didn’t get all that we want. So, I don’t think we
have any problem managing what we have now. But we are only pleading and
praying to get more, work hard and generate some income. There is no much internally
generated revenue (IGR) in this university because we are not in a business
environment in Jalingo. But that notwithstanding, we are trying to bring up
some projects that can generate revenue. I always tell people not to refer to fees
from students as IGR because all of that are tied to certain activities.
If they are paying for accommodation, you must provide
it, if they are paying for examination, you must administer it and if they are
paying for ICT usage, library facilities or identification cards, you must
provide them. We provide a caution deposit and you have to return the caution
deposit. So, when you look at all the charges, they are tied. But people think
that because students are paying all these, we should use that money to pay the
salaries of staff? No. This is a public university and all public universities
are supposed to be funded fully by the government because that is its
responsibility to the people. And that is why all children who are qualified to
go to any public university, no matter their position, are given equal chance.
So, it is not true that we are charging and utilising the money
recklessly.
it, if they are paying for examination, you must administer it and if they are
paying for ICT usage, library facilities or identification cards, you must
provide them. We provide a caution deposit and you have to return the caution
deposit. So, when you look at all the charges, they are tied. But people think
that because students are paying all these, we should use that money to pay the
salaries of staff? No. This is a public university and all public universities
are supposed to be funded fully by the government because that is its
responsibility to the people. And that is why all children who are qualified to
go to any public university, no matter their position, are given equal chance.
So, it is not true that we are charging and utilising the money
recklessly.
Why did you
divert over N70m TETFund grants for training lecturers aboard as alleged?
divert over N70m TETFund grants for training lecturers aboard as alleged?
Go and find out. I have staff members who are under
TETFund sponsorship. But you have to be qualified and get a university that is
recognised by the federal government before you can be sponsored. And all sponsored
candidates are to receive the money in bits, not at once. The money will be
given as you progress. Some of the staff members, not only in this university
though, want the money to be given to them in bulk which is not possible. Some
people who were given such money in the past only took it and failed to go for
the studies. So, what is obtainable now is that if you do not meet the
requirement, there won’t be any disbursement of the money.
TETFund sponsorship. But you have to be qualified and get a university that is
recognised by the federal government before you can be sponsored. And all sponsored
candidates are to receive the money in bits, not at once. The money will be
given as you progress. Some of the staff members, not only in this university
though, want the money to be given to them in bulk which is not possible. Some
people who were given such money in the past only took it and failed to go for
the studies. So, what is obtainable now is that if you do not meet the
requirement, there won’t be any disbursement of the money.
When you are in for a course of three years and you
are given N10m in all, it means you are given about N3m for a session, but you
want to collect the money for the next session which is yet to commence. We
have not diverted any money. In fact, we have some staff that went abroad even
without TETFUND approval whom I met them on ground. I provided money meant for
other things entirely to salvage them and worked with them to that stage. So,
where is the money that was diverted?
are given N10m in all, it means you are given about N3m for a session, but you
want to collect the money for the next session which is yet to commence. We
have not diverted any money. In fact, we have some staff that went abroad even
without TETFUND approval whom I met them on ground. I provided money meant for
other things entirely to salvage them and worked with them to that stage. So,
where is the money that was diverted?
Money can’t be diverted from TETFund’s account because
we do have TETFund auditors who come to observe our books regularly. The
auditors have not written anything to say we have diverted their money. So all
this is a mere rumour.
we do have TETFund auditors who come to observe our books regularly. The
auditors have not written anything to say we have diverted their money. So all
this is a mere rumour.
What is your reaction to the allegation
that you are employing workers without recourse to extant laws?
that you are employing workers without recourse to extant laws?
Let me tell you, this university is short of staff in
all our departments. Secondly, nobody gets a job here without recourse to due
process. When I need to employ somebody on temporary basis, we still ensure
that person is qualified and goes through an interview with the head of
departments and management. We give such persons temporary employment, with the
plan that he will face a well constituted interview panel of the council, and
if he is found qualified, his appointment will be confirmed and if not, he
would leave. So, I have not employed anybody without due process or someone who
is not qualified. In fact, I have vacancy for employment and the only thing stopping
us is the lack of fund. So, to say that we are employing people without due
process is nauseating. See, we have many people from Taraba state who are
looking for and qualified for the vacant positions but we lack funds. So, this
rumour of employing people without recourse to due process is not true.
all our departments. Secondly, nobody gets a job here without recourse to due
process. When I need to employ somebody on temporary basis, we still ensure
that person is qualified and goes through an interview with the head of
departments and management. We give such persons temporary employment, with the
plan that he will face a well constituted interview panel of the council, and
if he is found qualified, his appointment will be confirmed and if not, he
would leave. So, I have not employed anybody without due process or someone who
is not qualified. In fact, I have vacancy for employment and the only thing stopping
us is the lack of fund. So, to say that we are employing people without due
process is nauseating. See, we have many people from Taraba state who are
looking for and qualified for the vacant positions but we lack funds. So, this
rumour of employing people without recourse to due process is not true.
What of the
allegations that you are employing only friends?
allegations that you are employing only friends?
Go and look at our employment records and the records
of our staff. You will see the state and local government they come from. I’m
from Plateau state but I have not employed one person from my local government.
Most of the employees here are from Taraba state. It is only when we cannot
find people from Taraba state to occupy a vacant position, that we extend such to other people. Like now, I
need a professor of Physics but we don’t have any from Taraba state. Interestingly,
I have not got anyone from Nigeria, so if you can give me an application of a professor
of physics, I can provide immediate employment. We also need professors in engineering
and health sciences and so on.
of our staff. You will see the state and local government they come from. I’m
from Plateau state but I have not employed one person from my local government.
Most of the employees here are from Taraba state. It is only when we cannot
find people from Taraba state to occupy a vacant position, that we extend such to other people. Like now, I
need a professor of Physics but we don’t have any from Taraba state. Interestingly,
I have not got anyone from Nigeria, so if you can give me an application of a professor
of physics, I can provide immediate employment. We also need professors in engineering
and health sciences and so on.
The university is not where we can operate based on
quota system. The term university connotes a universal entity where anybody
from any part of the world who is qualified can be employed. This is not a political
entity where you must employ people who are not qualified. So, these are just
false allegations. People who are peddling this rumour do not understand the
business of universities and that is why I excused them.
quota system. The term university connotes a universal entity where anybody
from any part of the world who is qualified can be employed. This is not a political
entity where you must employ people who are not qualified. So, these are just
false allegations. People who are peddling this rumour do not understand the
business of universities and that is why I excused them.
What would
you describe as milestones in the two years you served in the university?
you describe as milestones in the two years you served in the university?
Many of them are there to be seen. I don’t like
singing my own praises. I would have preferred that you ask some of my staff to
mention them. If tell you what I have
achieved now, I might even underreport myself.
singing my own praises. I would have preferred that you ask some of my staff to
mention them. If tell you what I have
achieved now, I might even underreport myself.
But I can tell you quickly that when I came to this
university, I met only one functional professor on ground. He is Bakare Aliyu, a professor of Agriculture
and the other professor was on sabbatical. And as you must know, we can’t run a
university without professors. The NUC recommendations state that you must have
at least six professors per departments and we had about 35 departments in this
university with only one professor. That is not done. So, I have been able to
attract professors either on permanent, temporary, sabbatical or visiting
basis.
university, I met only one functional professor on ground. He is Bakare Aliyu, a professor of Agriculture
and the other professor was on sabbatical. And as you must know, we can’t run a
university without professors. The NUC recommendations state that you must have
at least six professors per departments and we had about 35 departments in this
university with only one professor. That is not done. So, I have been able to
attract professors either on permanent, temporary, sabbatical or visiting
basis.
Also, I have raised the number of professors from one
to 52, and that has given this university a quality space in Nigeria. We have
been able to ensure that we provide the right leadership for our university.
How could you run a university with assistant lecturers as heads of departments?
Assistant lecturer position in any university is a training position, so why
will such be heading a department? How can a blind man lead other blind men?
That is not done. Meanwhile, I met 13 HOD’s who were assistant lecturers and I
had to remove them. That had created bad names for me because some people were
just proud that they were heads of department when they were not even properly
trained. So, I sent them on further trainings because I don’t want them to
produce substandard graduates.
to 52, and that has given this university a quality space in Nigeria. We have
been able to ensure that we provide the right leadership for our university.
How could you run a university with assistant lecturers as heads of departments?
Assistant lecturer position in any university is a training position, so why
will such be heading a department? How can a blind man lead other blind men?
That is not done. Meanwhile, I met 13 HOD’s who were assistant lecturers and I
had to remove them. That had created bad names for me because some people were
just proud that they were heads of department when they were not even properly
trained. So, I sent them on further trainings because I don’t want them to
produce substandard graduates.
What are the
major challenges of the university?
major challenges of the university?
Well, the major challenge of the university like any
other university is funding. Then, the other challenge is that we are in an
environment that is not prone to business, so we are not able to use our
intellect to generate the funds that we need. The other challenge is that we
are in shortage of qualified staff, especially academic staff. Then, I can tell
you that even some of the staff on ground don’t want to come to work as they
should because they had been brainwashed. When we try to correct them, they run
to people like you in the media and say we are infringing on their rights. How
can you gain employment and you don’t want to work? And when your supervisor
asks you to come to work you’d say he hates you, or you use the ethnicity or
religious tag in that regard.
other university is funding. Then, the other challenge is that we are in an
environment that is not prone to business, so we are not able to use our
intellect to generate the funds that we need. The other challenge is that we
are in shortage of qualified staff, especially academic staff. Then, I can tell
you that even some of the staff on ground don’t want to come to work as they
should because they had been brainwashed. When we try to correct them, they run
to people like you in the media and say we are infringing on their rights. How
can you gain employment and you don’t want to work? And when your supervisor
asks you to come to work you’d say he hates you, or you use the ethnicity or
religious tag in that regard.
Meanwhile, we have hardworking and dedicated staff in
this university that have neither gotten into trouble with management nor
anybody and we reward them for that. Same way we have others who are just like
what we call the cattle-eaglets, who just want to get paid but don’t want to
work for the pay. Another challenge is insecurity, and that is even all over
Nigeria. My staff members are always harassed by kidnappers. I’ve had two of
them kidnapped from their houses and also we’ve had attacks from hoodlums. So,
we need funds to tackle the challenges and make sure the environment is secure
by employing adequate security to help protect the institution. Without
security, there is no way the staff and students can work.
this university that have neither gotten into trouble with management nor
anybody and we reward them for that. Same way we have others who are just like
what we call the cattle-eaglets, who just want to get paid but don’t want to
work for the pay. Another challenge is insecurity, and that is even all over
Nigeria. My staff members are always harassed by kidnappers. I’ve had two of
them kidnapped from their houses and also we’ve had attacks from hoodlums. So,
we need funds to tackle the challenges and make sure the environment is secure
by employing adequate security to help protect the institution. Without
security, there is no way the staff and students can work.
What’s your advice
to the state government on issues of insecurity?
to the state government on issues of insecurity?
We can only appeal to the state government and all
stakeholders to help us make this university one of the best in the country and
if not the whole of Africa. The only way we can do that is to bear the pain by
providing adequate funding that will help us produce the best graduates that we
need and the best university environment.
stakeholders to help us make this university one of the best in the country and
if not the whole of Africa. The only way we can do that is to bear the pain by
providing adequate funding that will help us produce the best graduates that we
need and the best university environment.
You see, university environment is where we build the
mind and future of the students. It’s where people are moulded for the future.
If a student is groomed in a dirty environment, when he goes out, that is what
he is going to produce. But when you bring out a student in a corporate and an
ideal condition, you are going to get people who will give you good product. So, we need the state government, private
organisations and well meaning citizens of this state and country to help us. I
know if we sacrifice a little, we will have enough to produce the best from the
university.
mind and future of the students. It’s where people are moulded for the future.
If a student is groomed in a dirty environment, when he goes out, that is what
he is going to produce. But when you bring out a student in a corporate and an
ideal condition, you are going to get people who will give you good product. So, we need the state government, private
organisations and well meaning citizens of this state and country to help us. I
know if we sacrifice a little, we will have enough to produce the best from the
university.