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From Hauwa’u Mohammed

The Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa state University (NSUK),Keffi, Prof. Suleiman Bala-Mohammed, has vow to tackle unethical conducts in the university especially among staff.

He made his position known at a Colloquium organized by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) NSUK, Keffi branch.

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 president of ASUU, Prof. Nasir Fagge.
While second paper presentation is titled “Principles and workings of ASUU: matters arising” by another former president of ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi.

In his address, Bala-Mohammed said unethical conduct is a serious threat to the wellbeing and proper administration of any university, including NSUK, hence the resolve to tackle or curb it so it does tarnish the image and hamper the day to day running of the university.

He said he has had cause to personally complain severally about several unethical conducts of some lecturers who brazenly engage in unethical conducts to the disadvantage of students and the university.

“The issue of unethical conduct very 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 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 hangover guys around whom some lecturers keep around and doing this dirty business for them,” he said.

He explained that the university management then had to launch a whistleblowing policy aimed exposing perpetrators giving the gravity of the impact of unethical conducts 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 victimized.

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

Also in his remark, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, President of ASUU lauded the initiative of the NSUK branch for organizing the colloquium which he described as the appropriate platform to sensitize members on the ills of unethical conduct in the university system.

He then assured that the union will continue to negotiate positive issues with government to ensure that quality education is provided in Nigerian universities.

In an interview, Dr Samuel Allu, Chairman, ASUU NSUK Branch confirmed the setting up of the senate standing committee by management of the institution 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 of course our members are part of the university working force.

“So it is normal and thoughtful that we should organize a workshop, a 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.

In his presentation, the guest speaker, Prof. Nasiru Fagge who spoke on curbing unethical conducts in the Nigerian University system, said Unethical practices taking place 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 is fast losing credibility, honour and integrity, calling on lecturers to have a rethink and management of universities to take stringent action to curb unethical conducts.