Wesley University VC Urges Fees Slash From Faith-Based Institutions, Debunks Owing Salaries
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Vice-Chancellor, Wesley University Ondo, Rt. Rev Prof. Samuel Sunday Obeka, has appealed to faith-based universities to consider slashing their fees considering the present economic situation in Nigeria.
He also debunked allegations that the university owed their part-time lecturers salaries and refuted the allegations as not only mischievous but also spurious.
The institute is the first faith-based university in Nigeria to announce the reduction of its tuition fees by 50 per cent, as part of its efforts towards contributing to the development of humankind.
Speaking at a press conference in preparation for the university’s 11th Convocation ceremony /bishop’s reception and revival in Ondo State, tagged ”Faith of our Fathers”, the Methodist Church Bishop encouraged other faith-based institutions in the country to reduce their tuition fees as humanitarian service to the poor.
He noted that, “There is a lot of economic challenges facing the people in Nigeria, we don’t need to make things more difficult for them. As a faith-based university, we are leading by example, which is why we have cut down our fees by 50% for some of our academic programmes. This is also done in fulfillment of the inception promise of our great university to give opportunities to all Nigerians for professional and academic developments, thereby contributing to national development.
“Wesley University feels it is proper in times like this to reduce school fees while even federal institutions are increasing theirs.
“We have reduced fees for quite a number of academic programmes by 50% tuition fee.
“In the school of postgraduate studies, we have reduced all programme fees by 50% in the college of natural and applied sciences such as geology and mining, mathematics and other programmes. Also, all agricultural programmes have 50% waiver.
“This is to encourage our students especially in times like this. In view of hardship occasioned by the oil subsidy removal which we are all conversant with,” he explained.
Responding to the allegation of owing emoluments of the part-time lecturers, the Vice-Chancellor said it is necessary for the general public to know they no longer encourage part-time lecturing in Wesley University.
He said, “In the past, we used to have part-time lecturers who were engaged on semester bases. Later, as a result of the decreased-commitment of some of the part-time lecturers, management was not comfortable with the arrangement and had to disengage them. So, in line with the National Universities Commission (NUC)’s directive, we now have visiting lecturers instead. It is very unfortunate that some of the part-times lecturers are treading the path of blackmailing the university”.
“I am not disputing that the university did not have challenges, but it is becoming a thing of the past. There are lots of improvements in the university under my leadership and I thank God, leaders of Methodist Church Nigeria (owner of the university) and our partners for their contributions to support our university. Before now, the university was a technology-only focused institution, but today it is a full-fledged conventional university, offering over 50 undergraduate courses and some postgraduate courses”, he added.
The Bishop further said that, “In order to strengthen our academic programmes, we brought in some of the part-time lecturers who are serious and committed into full-time lecturing positions. They are doing well and enjoying promotion in the system. I can tell the world that Wesley University management does not owe any part-time lecturer any emolument, to the best of my knowledge. It is very important to note that before now, a committee was set up to look into the matter when I took over as the Vice Chancellor, because this is not the time, some claimed part-time lecturers are accusing the school of owing them emoluments”.
According to the V-C, some of the findings are very heartbreaking, there were no proper records or details of activities of the part-time lecturers claiming owed emoluments.
“We are praying to God to forgive them for tarnishing the good image of the university publishing lies against the management under my leadership established over a decade ago,” the Bishop said.
The Vice-Chancellor assured the general public that the university is doing fine and preparing for her 11th convocation ceremonies.
“The guest speaker at the 11th convocation ceremony is the founder of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, and the university Chancellor, Snr. Pastor , Dr. Paul Enenche. He is coming to anchor a revival-crusade that will last for three days. The closing ceremony is billed for an endowment and alumni lecture where we will celebrate our graduates, honour some Nigerians who have distinguished themselves and contributed to the development of the country and mankind.
“The present administration has embarked on construction and reconstruction, renovation and building of new classes, laboratories. We assure the general public that we will do the needful to ensure that Gods name is glorified in this land. We will continue to address some of the challenges in the university systematically because Methodist Church, the owner of the school is known for doing things systematically and is methodical in approach to solving problems”, he stressed.
