OPINION: The Plight of a University Don in Nigeria – By Ikeji Aro

• By Ikeji Aro

On the 15th October, 2018, Benjamin Okike, the first indigenous Professor of Information Encryption was nominated by National Universities Commission (NUC), the body that is charged with the responsibility of regulating universities in the country as a member of 2018 Accreditation Exercise
On 28th October, 2018, Benjamin left for the accreditation exercise scheduled to commence from Kings University, Ode-Omu in State of Osun.

Somewhere in Ekiti State, the commercial vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a ghastly motor accident. The don had multiple fractures on his right ankle and was unconsciously rushed to a Native Doctor traditional Healing Centre in Ondo State.

God used the then Director of Accreditation of the commission to save the life of this don.

The Director was informed by the NUC Representative,Mr. Ikechi Onyemata and immediately contacted the Vice Chancellor of Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, whom in turn arranged with the Director of Academic Planning of the university to send University Ambulance accompanied by a Medical Doctor who continually was monitoring the don and administering drugs that gave relief the don till he was taken to University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, where the Chief Medical Director, Professor Ekele has dispatched a team of Orthopedic Doctors to give the necessary treatments that resulted to his recovery after four (4) ankle surgeries by a team of Orthopedic Doctors led a Consultant, Dr. Thamos Sough.

One of those who contributed in no small measure to save the life of the don is an Immigration Officer in the person of Superintendent of Immigration, Oluwole Lawrence.

He was contacted immediately after the accident he arrived the Traditional Healing Centre where the don was abandoned and consequently directed the Ambulance driver to University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.

Although, Kings University, a faith-based university, one of the universities to be accredited by the don involved in the accident showed no concern about the plight faced by the don after the accident.

It is unfortunate that the accident victim was not even contacted by any of Kings University Management team. That speaks volume of Kings Ministries Trust, the owners of Kings University,Ode-Omu.

The attitude of Kings Ministries can be likened to the priest and the Levite who both avoided the man left half-dead by robbers on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho but was taken care by a Good Samaritan in the Gospel of St Luke 10: 25- 37.

Thanks be to God that he has fully recovered from the accident.