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Parents and other stakeholders at the University of Ibadan (UI) have pledged to assist the institution as it tries to navigate through its financial crisis.
They agreed to contribute a a yet to be fixed amount on each students regularly to assist the institution in running smoothly.
The pledge was made on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ meeting with the Management of the university. The meeting which was held at Trenchard Hall of the institution was chaired by a former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayo Banjo.
Prof. Banjo commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abel Olayinka, for the initiative, expressing confidence that it would faciliticate exchange of ideas that would help propel the premier university forward.
Speaking during the meeting, Olayinka disclosed that since last year, UI has been recording about N100 million shortfall in monthly subventions, weakening the institution’s ability to pay salaries and meet other obligations.
He said the institution has been receiving only about N140 million, a sum he said was barely able to pay cleaning contractors alone.
He blamed the situation for the school’s inability to provide electricity and water as required.
He added that internally generated revenue has been applied but that the gap is still wide.
On the closure of school to students, the VC explained that the protest embarked upon by the students in April was uncalled for because the Management was constantly carrying students along in its decisions.
Most stakeholders also condemned the April student protest which led to the closure of the school. But they appealed to the school authorities to reopen for academic activities, saying the students have learnt their lesson.
The VC stated that only the Senate, which is billed to meet on Thursday, could decide on when to reopen the university for academic activities. He however that the institution’s management would look into the suggestions made at the forum and take a decision that would be beneficial to all stakeholders.