DVC Blames Varsity Managers For Decline In Education

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Pontifical Urbaniana University, Vatican City, Professor Godfrey Onah, has blamed university managers in Nigeria for the decline in the standard of education.

Onah,a Catholic priest, made the statement in Nsukka, Enugu State, while presenting the maiden Adada lecture series, titled: ”Intellectualism and the Development of a People,” organised by the Association of Nsukka Professors.

He said some Nigerian universities had merchandised education like articles of trade.

“Admissions and degree certificates are now cash and carry in some higher institutions in the country.

“This cash and carry habit has demotivated many hardworking youths and demoralised our real intellectuals.

“Most times female students are forced to pay in kind by moral bankrupt lecturers,’ Ona said.

He urged intellectuals to remember that the best way of liberating people was by giving them quality education that would help them to solve their problems.

“Of all forms of bondage or slavery, ignorance is the worst. “Quality education brings the best in a man.

“Wealth without knowledge increases bondage.

“Intellectuals, who are not proud of their identity or who have nothing to show for their intellectual labour are bad publicity for intellectualism.”

Onah urged Nsukka professors to ensure an increase in the number of intellectuals in the zone by promoting development that would encourage intellectual vocation.

“A favourable attitude to intellectualism in Nsukka will make a touch and possibly rub-off on the various facets of life in our area.”

The Chairman of the occasion, Professor Lawrence Ocho, commended the association for naming the lecture series Adada lecture.

He said the nomenclature was an indication that sooner or later the proposed Adada State would become a reality.

“it is our hope that Adada State will be created to complete states in South-East geo-political zone six, like other geo-political zones in the country,” he said.

Earlier, the President of the association, Professor David Ezeh, said the association had 50 members and explained that the group was formed to pursue goals consistent with the interest of Nsukka cultural zone and Nigeria.

“Adada lecture is a forum for members to interact with the general public, relations, friends and colleagues.

“We have about 50 member professors of Nsukka extraction from the seven local governments that make up Nsukka cultural zone,” he said.

Some personalities at the lecture were Rep. Stella Ngwu PDP-Igboetiti/ Uzowani), Chief Nnia Nwodo, a former Minister of Information, Professor Malachy Okwueze, NBA Chairman, Nsukka branch and Mr. Tony Ugwu, Nsukka Local Government.

Others are Dr. Godwin Abonyi Chairman, Udenu Local Government, Mr. Okey Ezea, Labour Party governorship candidate in Enugu State in April.