Education

We Must Collectively Address Definable Cracks In Our Ivory Tower— Jike

Prof. Victor Jike

Renowned Nigerian professor of Industrial Sociology at Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Victor Jike, has stated that there are definable cracks within the university system that require urgent attention from all stakeholders.

Jike said these cracks manifest in intrigues, mistrust, propaganda, and a do-or-die campus politics that have stunted the expected growth of the university system.

The professor made these remarks while delivering the 9^th in the series of DELSU valedictory lecture held on Wednesday at Site 3 of the university’s Abraka campus.

Speaking on the topic “My Odyssey of Complex Battles,” the scholar narrated that his sojourn in DELSU since 2001 had been marked by numerous challenges that ultimately strengthened his resolve to contribute to national and global development.

“The social climate in Abraka when I arrived was, to say the least, turbulent,” he declared to a spellbound audience at the ceremony which also marked his 70th birthday anniversary.

“Intrigues, mistrust, propaganda, mischief, treachery, etc., are core ingredients of the characteristic do-or-die politics in DELSU Campus in Abraka.

“I have had my own share of vilification and blackmail, but I have come out triumphant and stronger.

“The ivory tower, as we know it, has developed definable cracks, and it will require the collective will of all and sundry to salvage this awesome tower of yesteryears. Is Nigeria prepared to take this bold step?”

DELSU VC, Prof. Samuel Asagba (Middle) launching Jike’s autobiography

Taking the audience through memory, Jike averred that his long walk into troubled waters at DELSU began in 2006 shortly after he was appointed Head of the Department of Sociology and Psychology, which had been “profoundly factionalised… with a notorious tradition of arson.”

“There were accusations and counter-accusations of harassment and intimidation between some lecturers and students. There was subterfuge, intrigue, and an uncanny atmosphere of mistrust and uncertainty around the department,” said the President of the Nigerian Sociological Association.

He recalled that the crisis culminated in his suspension from work for three months, alongside two level advisers who were alleged to have falsified results for a student.

The valedictory lecturer disclosed that a disciplinary committee was subsequently constituted to investigate the matter, and he was discharged and acquitted of all charges, although one of the accused level advisers was sanctioned after admitting to the allegation.

He further narrated another incident in 2011, in which the results for two courses presented during a departmental board of studies meeting were different from those submitted by the course lecturers, including himself.

Jike explained that, following a formal complaint lodged with the university senate, a meeting of senior professors in the Faculty of the Social Sciences was convened to amicably resolve the imbroglio. However, while he was making his presentation regarding the alleged alteration of scores, a professor (name withheld) flung a wooden chair at his head, causing him to fall on his backside.

HRM Akpomeyoma Majoroh, Ojeta11, the Ovie of Oruarivie-Abraka Kingdom (Left)

He said that despite forgiving his offenders, the lingering crises in his department assumed more sinister dimensions, culminating in a decade-long legal battle between him and the university.

The professor expressed immense gratitude to past Vice-Chancellors of DELSU who played various roles in his career, including Prof. Uvie Igun, who employed him; Prof. John Enaohwo, who allocated him a campus apartment; Prof. Eric Arubayi, who approved his promotion to the rank of professor; Prof. Victor Peretomode, who strengthened discipline during his tenure; and Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, who gave him multiple appointments.

He also thanked the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Asagba, for approving the presentation of the valedictory lecture despite the ongoing convocation activities in the university.

Reacting to the lecture, Asagba praised Jike for serving the university meritoriously, describing him as a principled man who is always willing to champion the cause of the oppressed.

The Vice-Chancellor likened Jike to an elephant, whose imposing personality is difficult to understand from a single perspective.

“Some look at him as an incorrigible person; some say he is a fighter for the oppressed; some say he is a good teacher; others say he is a leader of men, and so on,” he said.

A high point of the event was the official launch of Jike’s autobiography, titled “My Odyssey of Complex Battles” from which the valedictory lecture was extracted

While reviewing the book, Prof. Macaulay Mowarin disclosed that Jike’s autobiography is parsed into 16 chapters and 130 pages.

Meanwhile, Prof. Victor Jike, has urged the Federal Government to abandon the controversial policy seeking to bar admission seekers below 18 years from gaining admission into Nigerian universities.

Jike described the move as both “surprising” and “anachronistic,” arguing that no research supports a correlation between age and academic achievements.