V-C to tackle unethical conducts in Nasarawa State varsity

Prof. Suleiman Bala-Mohammed, Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), has pledged to tackle unethical conducts in the institution, especially among staff.

He stated this at a colloquium organised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), NSUK branch, in Keffi on Wednesday.

Our correspondent reports that the two papers presented at the colloquium are: “Curbing unethical conducts in the Nigerian University system: The ASUU perspective and opinions”, by a former ASUU President, Prof. Nasir Fagge, and “Principles and workings of ASUU: matters arising”, by another former ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi.

In his address, Bala-Mohammed said that unethical conduct was a serious threat to the wellbeing and proper administration of any university, including NSUK.

He stressed the need to tackle the challenge for it not to tarnish the image and hamper the operation of the university.

According to him, he has had cause to complain about several unethical conducts of some lecturers who brazenly engage in immoral behaviour to the disadvantage of students and the institution.

“The issue of unethical conduct is very critical. Like other universities, we also have issues bordering on ethics in this university. It is deep rooted in this university.

“I have had cause severally to complain about lecturers who go to class in a semester not more than four or five times. I have had reasons to complain about lecturers whose scripts are marked through proxies.

“We have had to compel our colleagues to meet our deadline in terms of submission of results. Project supervision is another very serious issue. There are a lot of guys who some lecturers keep around to be doing this dirty business for them,” he said.

The don further said that the management of the institution had to launch a whistleblowing policy aimed at exposing perpetrators following the gravity of the impact of misbehaviour if left unchecked.

“We told members of the community, students and staff that when they see something, they must say something. We have also provided a platform for students to complain when they are victimised.

“We have set up a senate committee on unethical conduct. I am delighted today that we have had conversations on unethical conducts, to remind ourselves on what is right and the need to do the right thing,” he said.

In a remark, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the ASUU President, commended the initiative of NSUK branch by organising the colloquium which he described as the appropriate platform to sensitise members on the ills of unethical conduct in the university system.

He gave the assurance that the union would continue to negotiate positive issues with government to ensure that quality education was provided in the universities.

In an interview, Dr Samuel Allu, Chairman, ASUU NSUK branch, confirmed the setting up of the senate standing committee by the school management called “Ethics and Grievances Committee’’.

“That means there are some unethical activities going on in the university and the management doesn’t want that to continue and our members are part of the university working force.

“It is thoughtful that we should organise a workshop and lecture series that will touch the aspect of unethical activities in the university so that members are informed. There is a saying that information is power,” he said.

Guest speaker Fagge, in his presentation, said that unethical practices in the universities have forced the academic community to lose respect and dignity.

He added that due to the misconduct of some academics, the intellectual was fast losing credibility, honour and integrity.

He called on lecturers to change their bad behaviour and also advised management of universities to take stringent action to curb unethical conducts.