The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State owned Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN) has congratulated the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima on their election victory.
The COPSUN, in a communique issued at the end of its 59th Quarterly Meeting held at the Committee of Vice-Chancellors’ Conference Center, Abuja, also appealed to all political gladiators, especially other presidential candidates to eschew violence or any act or pronouncement that can exacerbate or heighten tension in the land.
In the communique, signed by its Secretary, Mr. Marcus Awobifa on March 14, COPSUN said this transition period calls for sober reflection, cooperation and unity among the various segments, peoples and institutions in Nigeria.
“We must remember that it is only when the country exists that anyone may aspire to the highest office of the Nation”, the communique reads. “COPSUN enjoins politicians to take advantage of well-established processes, procedures and institutions which our laws have put in place to address all perceived grievances that the last Presidential Election might throw up.
“A united Nigeria is a veritable world power in the nearest future while a fractionalized country is an easy prey for our adversaries. COPSUN therefore appeals to all and sundry to stop any act that might put the Nation asunder. “It is befitting to continue to have a united Nigeria.”
The Committee also reiterated its calls for the respect of autonomy of universities in the country, calling “all relevant governments and authorities to respect and uphold the autonomy of the Universities as set in their enabling laws. “The Committee views with concern the unhealthy practice of organs and officials of the Federal Government passing instructions and directives to State Universities without regard to their ownership structures and extant laws. Many of the domestic issues that fall within the competence of the State Universities Councils and Senate should be left to these organs to execute.”
It wishes both Tinubu and Shettima the best of luck and prayed for their successful tenure in office.
